Climate, water, and the Syrian civil war: A scientist connects the dots
A mans puts his hand in dried earth in the parched region of Raqqa province in eastern Syria in 2010. Lack of rain and mismanagement of the land and water resources have forced up to half of million people to flee the region in one of Syria’s largest internal migrations since 1920.
Did a prolonged drought in Syria help spark the country's civil war?
Did climate change contribute to that drought?
Host Marco Werman speaks with UC Irvine hydrologist Jay Famigliette, who's one of a growing number of researchers who are connecting the dots between climate change, water scarcity and conflict in the region.
The story you just read is available for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
Make a gift today, and you’ll get us one step closer to our goal of raising $25,000 by June 14. We need your help now more than ever!