Climate Action and Conservation
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION
gas flaring brief:
Burning excess gas is fueling energy and climate crises.
iraq is trying to harness it instead. see the challenges and possible solutions.
water diplomacy in the land of two rivers
understanding the country’s water disputes and diplomatic solutions amid an unfolding climate crisis
climate means change
Changing climate and poor resource management are causing major hardships for Iraqis. There are endless chains of cause-and-effect:
- Less rain = drying rivers = harder farming = lost jobs.
- Food scarcity = higher prices = more hunger.
- Permitted polluting = unsafe water = health problems.
our work
EPIC is working with leading Iraqi conservation organizations (like @humatdijlah and @WaterkeepersIQ) to improve communication and actions by the government, the United Nations, and Iraqi citizens to tackle these challenges.
- Learn more about our partnership with Waterkeepers Iraq in launching the “Vanishing Rivers” initiative and developing a mobile wastewater treatment demonstration prototype.
- Read the essential briefing paper on climate change and conservation in Iraq.
- We are conducting ongoing research to track the harmful practice of flaring natural gas involving international oil companies in Iraq. Join our email list to read new updates as soon as they’re published.
- Follow us on YouTube where our Iraq Briefing series tackles the pressing challenges facing Iraq today.
climate action & conservation
essential background
What’s wrong and what should be done about climate change and conservation in Iraq
When the Tigris and Euphrates shrink, Iraq is at odds with Turkey’s water consumption and dam construction. Continuing gas flaring by oil companies pollutes the air and local neighborhoods. Rising seawater is poisoning Iraq’s ancient marshes. Read our latest analyses of this complex crisis.
the burning question
Natural gas is a byproduct of oil extraction. It’s a usable fuel but expensive to contain and transport, so many oil producers burn their gas instead. It’s called flaring.
Flaring in Iraq puts nearly 30 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air every year, according to the World Bank. That’s one tenth of all the CO2 created by flaring on earth.
EPIC is working with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) to collect and present information on the scope and impact of the flaring practices of international oil companies operating in Iraq.
Deep dive with us
get to know iraq beyond the headlines. subscribe to epic's podcast now.
A special episode of Iraq Matters is now in production, focused on Iraq’s climate and natural resource crisis. Leading Iraqi provide a detailed picture of the serious challenges facing Iraqi citizens and government.
Learn about Basra’s water crisis in this episode from our 2018 archive.