Challenges to and from the Environment in Iran

Iran’s Natural Heritage Symposium

18 January 2014

Gary Lewis

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iran

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Hamoun e Pouzak

Hamoun Sabouri

Afghanistan Iran

Hamoun Helmand

Gowd e Zereh

1997

1997

1997

Last week

Last week

Last week

Last week

Last week

Last week

Last week

DSS blowing from the Hamouns into AFG and PAK

DSS blowing from the Hamouns into AFG and PAK

Zabol – 200 days of haze every year

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Rainfall change – 2010-2039 versus 1976-2005

Temperature change – 2010-2039 versus 1976-2005

Turkmenistan

Afghanistan Iran

Harirud

Kashafrud Basin

Doosti Dam

Isfahan – 1997

Isfahan – 2013

Lake Uromiyeh

1997

2011

Lake Uromiyeh – 2013

Lake Uromiyeh – 2013

Lake Uromiyeh – 2013

Lake Uromiyeh – 2013

Lake Uromiyeh – 2013

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

UN-supported re-afforrestation project near Karaj, west of Tehran

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Ahvaz – with and without dust and sand storms

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Asiatic Cheetah (Iran’s oldest) lies dead near Naybandan wildlife refuge

Part 1: A “Human Security” perspective

Part 2: Environmental challenges in Iran • Water • Land degradation • Energy • Air pollution • Biodiversity loss

Conclusion

Presentation structure

Thank you