Climate science and peace in the Middle East.

While the Israeli–Palestinian (and Arab) peace process is mired in a complex political crisis, the region is now facing an even more daunting crisis as a result of dramatic hydrological changes. Groundwater extraction rates in the region’s coastal and mountain aquifers are not sustainable. Climate change is expected to increase temperatures, reduce rainfall, raise sea level, and generate more severe weather events. Seawater intrusion into the groundwater systems, which are critical to the basic needs of one half of the region’s population, is also expected. As the hydrological system changes, population and economic growth will increase the demand for freshwater to meet basic needs, as well as water demand for food production and industry. This is likely to lead to even higher extraction rates along with increased investments into reuse and desalinization.