Climate Change and Water Resources in the Middle East: Vulnerability, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Adaptation

El-Fadel, Mutasem; Bou-Zeid, Elie R.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.278514

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Climate Change and Water Resources in the Middle East: Vulnerability, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Adaptation

15 Pages Posted: 4 Aug 2001

See all articles by Mutasem El-Fadel

Mutasem El-Fadel

American University of Beirut - Faculty of Engineering & Architecture

Elie R. Bou-Zeid

Johns Hopkins University

Date Written: June 2001

Abstract

While the extent of human induced global warming is inconclusive, the vulnerability of natural systems to rapid changes in climate patterns is regarded as one of the most challenging issues in recent years. Water resources are a main component of natural systems that might be affected by climate change. This paper characterises water resources in several Middle Eastern countries and evaluates regional climate predictions for various scenarios using General Circulation Models. Adaptation measures are assessed with a focus on no-regret actions in the context of local socio-economic and environmental frameworks.

Keywords: Climate change, water resources, water balance, Middle East

JEL Classification: Q25

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

El-Fadel, Mutasem and Bou-Zeid, Elie R., Climate Change and Water Resources in the Middle East: Vulnerability, Socio-Economic Impacts, and Adaptation (June 2001). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=278514 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.278514