New evidence is deepening fears in the scientific community that the Middle East and North Africa risk becoming uninhabitable in a few decades, as accessible fresh water has fallen by two-thirds over the past 40 years. Already, per capita availability of fresh water in the region—encompassing 22 countries and home to nearly 400 million inhabitants—is 10 times lower than the world average. The region's fresh water resources are among the lowest in the world, and are expected to fall over 50% by 2050, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). By century's end, higher temperatures may shorten growing seasons in the region by 18 days and reduce agricultural yields by up to 55%. "Looming water scarcity in the North Africa and Middle East region is a huge challenge requiring an urgent and massive response," said FAO director general Graziano da Silva on his recent visit to Cairo.

The UN agency leads a Near East and North Africa Water Scarcity Initiative that provides both policy advice and best practice ideas on management of irrigation programs. The Initiative is now backed by more than 30 national and international organizations. (IPS, March 13)

Climate change and water scarcity have already been implicated in sparking the Syrian war, as well conflicts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, especially Somalia.