WATER AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
IN THE ARAB REGION

Introduction
Climate change (CC) refers to a change in the state of the climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. It refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity (IPCC ,2007).

Science established a causal effect between the acceleration of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and CC effects (IPCC ,2007), Global GHG emissions due to human activities have grown since pre-industrial times, with an increase of 70% between 1970 and 2004.

Among the world’s regions, Arab region is especially vulnerable to climate change. It is one of the world’s driest, most water-scarce regions, depends on climate-sensitive agriculture. Per capita renewable water resources in the region, which in 1950 were 4,000 m3 per year, are currently 1,100 m3 per year. Projections indicate that they will drop by half, reaching 550 m3 per person per year in 2050.( World bank, 2006).

In addition, climate-induced resource scarcity could further tensions in the region’s conflict-ridden areas, potentially escalating violence and political turmoil even beyond the region’s boundaries. This is supported by the fact that 80% of surface water resources and 66 % of total water resources in the Arab region is a shared water esources.

Climate change is putting additional stress on the region’s marginal environment (Figure 1). For much of the region, the climate is predicted to become even hotter and drier, according to recent scientific assessments (IPCC 2007).

Higher temperatures and reduced precipitation will increase the occurrence of droughts, an effect that is already materializing in many Arab countries such as Jordan and Syria. Climate change