Climate change and water resources: A comparative study in the MAGHREB
Abstract
In the face of a global food crisis and climate change, ensuring access to water resources becomes a critical concern for human activities. The Maghreb region, including Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, is particularly exposed to ecological vulnerabilities. The environmental degradation in this region has already led to adverse effects on the well-being of populations and hindered economic development. While demographic projections provide some clarity, the uncertainties surrounding climate change projections persist due to inadequate climatological data, both in terms of quantity and quality.
Nonetheless, numerous climate projections for Southern Europe indicate a worrisome trend of increasing temperatures and decreasing precipitation. The Maghreb countries, due to their geographical proximity, are expected to face significant repercussions. This challenge is further compounded by the presence of the hyper-arid Sahara, which exacerbates the impact of climate change. Consequently, the Maghreb states recognize the imminent climate evolution as a major concern.
The post-Covid-19 economic recovery, as well as the major disruptions to energy and food supply chains caused by the war in Ukraine, have made the Maghreb region more vulnerable. At the same time, the climate crisis is likely to further exacerbate the vulnerabilities of the Maghreb countries, underlining the urgent need to develop a strategy to mitigate the effects of climate change while preserving the region's biodiversity. A joint report by the IPCC and IPBES stresses that climate and biodiversity are two interconnected challenges that must be tackled jointly.
The aim of this essentially theoretical study is to present an overview of current projections of climate change in the Maghreb region and explore their potential consequences on water resources. It encompasses an analysis of the various aspects of climate change, while emphasizing the necessity of implementing adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts on water resources.
Keywords: Maghreb, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, water resource, climate change, adaptation strategies, ecological vulnerabilities.
JEL CLASSIFICATION : Q 25, Q 54
Paper type: Theoretical research
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