Peter H. Gleick

American Meteorological Society

Published date February 3, 2014

Water, drought, climate change, and conflict in Syria

  • States the devastating civil war that began in Syria in March 2011 is the result of complex interrelated factors
  • States water and climatic conditions have played a direct role in the deterioration of Syria’s economic conditions
  • States there has been an increase in incidences of water-related violence around the world at the subnational level attributable to the role that water plays in development disputes and economic activities
  • Assesses the complicated connections between water and conflict in Syria, looks more broadly at future climate-related risks for water systems, and offers some water management strategies for reducing those risks