A new study suggests that climate change threatens Lake Urmia even in the most optimistic environmental scenarios and without additional negative effects from human activities.
The “International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis” (IIASA), headquartered in Vienna, the capital of Austria, has conducted research on Lake Urmia in collaboration with researchers from Wageningen University in the Netherlands.
Based on the results of this research, assuming severe or even moderate climate changes, current programs for reviving Lake Urmia are insufficient.
Somayeh Shadkam, who led this research, stated: “This means immediate measures to save the lake are necessary. Water usage must be limited both at the regional level and greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced globally.”
Lake Urmia is the world’s second-largest hypersaline lake and has been at risk of complete desiccation in recent years. The construction of a road across the lake and excessive use of water resources are considered the causes of Lake Urmia’s drying.
There is concern that the drying of Lake Urmia could have widespread negative consequences for the surrounding provinces.
The Iranian government has considered plans for this lake.
Researchers from Wageningen University say that water scarcity will exist in this region in the future, and this is an important issue not only for Lake Urmia but for the entire region to address better water management given the shortage of water resources.
Source: BBC Persian
