Iran in Danger

Not only are human activities and business causing detriment to the environment, but to humans and cultures as well. I don’t think most people understand the severity and the scope of the harm our production, consumption, and waste habits causes to the earth and everything that makes it habitable. In Sustainability-Moral Ground, Sheila Watt-Coutlier laments about how mankind’s fervent cycle of production, consumption and waste are destroying the health of her people, the Inuit, and the culture as a whole. She describes climate change as “a matter of livelihood, food, individual and cultural survival” (Watt-Coultier, pg. 27).  We have the duty to protect and preserve the natural wonders of this planet, and this duty extends to trying to protect and preserve the well being of the human species. A moral obligation to protect the future of this earth for the generations to come does exist. Society must look at the world as a whole; and world leaders must come together and initiate change on a global level. If this type of action fails to take place, life on this planet as we know it is going to change drastically.

            Middle Eastern and African countries need much aid if they are to remain stable and their people are to survive. According to the Environmental Performance Index, determined by Yale University, Iran ranks 83^rd out of 178 countries. This index ranks countries on the bases of scores in nine issue categories (Yale, 2014). Health impacts, air quality, water and sanitation, water resources, climate and energy, forests, agriculture, biodiversity and habitat are all categories that determine the score of the country.

            Iran received average scores on many of these issues, you can view them here: http://epi.yale.edu/epi/country-profile/iran

One of the most significant scores was that of their water resources, which they only received a 2.77 out of 100 possible points. Iran has an arid climate, which means that it is near impossible to sustain moisture and thus life to many plants. The water from the rain evaporates almost as quickly as it falls. According to The Iran Primer, Iran has relied on drawing water “from underground aquifers, but public usage is rapidly draining the subterranean reservoirs”(http://iranprimer.usip.org/blog/2013/oct/28/iran’s-environment-greater-threat-foreign-foes).  Iran will not be able to sustain the consumption of water if this practice continues. Water.org is not involved in Iran presently, but something needs to be done to preserve Iran’s water supply before it runs dry, and the country is put in peril.  Iran ranks first in the world for the waste of water resources, according to the Environmental Protection Organization. Iran is also one of the most polluted, and one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, due to the country's exponential energy use. The air pollution alone is extremely detrimental to Iranian's health.

(This is a photo taken in Khuzesten, Iran, detailing just how polluted the air in the country is. Photo courtesy of: National Council of Resistance of Iran. ahwaz-iran.jpg)             The Iranian Department of Environment is the predominant environmental organization run by the government, that oversees matters related to the preservation and protection of the environment and natural resources. David Michel, director of the Environmental Security Program at the Stimson Center, says that Iran's "looming environmental crisis will require a comprehensive green revolution in national policy-making"(2013). I agree with Michel's insights, and the urgency for change is imperative.