Standing Up to Climate Change: Creating Prospects for a Sustainable Future in Rural Iran

Climate change is the mega topic of the twenty-first century and usually described as any change in climate over time, due to natural changes or human activities. Adverse effects of climate change affect countries worldwide. The Middle East and North African (MENA) region is particularly vulnerable to climate change consequences like persistent droughts, rising sea levels, and food security, water and energy supplies, and health are under threat. Iran is an example of a MENA country that is particularly affected by climate change. In this chapter, an overview of the effects of climate change on the countries of the MENA region with emphasis on Iran is presented. Furthermore, perspectives on climate change in the Zayandeh Rud River Basin in Central Iran, where water plays an important role not only for the provincial but also for the entire country’s economy, are also discussed.