By Faranak Bakhtiari

Will unprecedented heat hit Iranian cities by 2050?

TEHRAN – A new study reveals that how 520 major cities worldwide might face unprecedented climate conditions by 2050, including the Iranian capital city of Tehran which could feel as warm as San Bernardino and California in the United States.

Iran, France discuss enhanced environmental co-op

TEHRAN – Iran’s Department of Environment (DOE) chief, Issa Kalantari, and France’s ambassador to Iran, Philippe Thiebaud, discussed increased cooperation on environmental issues during a meeting held in Tehran on Monday.

A blessing in disguise: Benefits of flood in Iran’s capital

TEHRAN — Some officials believe that the long-term advantages of a probable flood in Iran’s capital, Tehran, outweigh its disastrous effects.

75% of natural disasters linked with climate: expert

TEHRAN – Mostafa Mohaqeq, senior coordinator for Asia and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) said that some 75 percent of natural disasters happening in the world are associated with weather and climate.

Recent flooding caused by climate change: IMO director

TEHRAN – Torrential rains and unprecedented flooding recently hitting the country is the result of climate change, head of Iran’s Meteorological Organization (IMO) has stated.

Recent rainfalls not to fully address prolonged droughts: expert

TEHRAN – Despite above normal rainfalls amounting to 256 millimeters the country has received since the beginning of the current water year (starting on September 23, 2018), it cannot be claimed that the long-term droughts are set right, director for flood control and aquifer at Forests, Range and Watershed Management Organization has said.

Precipitations to hit normal, above-normal levels in spring 

TEHRAN — Iran’s Climatological research Institute announced that the country will receive normal and above-normal levels of precipitations in the first two months of spring.

‘Recent rainfall fluctuations indicate rapid climate change’

TEHRAN – The country’s precipitation and temperature rate is anticipated to meet normal and above normal averages during the next three months (February 20-May 21), while getting above normal averages might be worrisome due to climate change instant growth, head of the climatological research institute affiliated to Iran’s Meteorological Organization (IMO) has said.

How is the world performing in the battle against climate change? 

TEHRAN— Climate change has taken its toll on the environment worldwide and three years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement, global climate action is not yet sufficient to limit global warming to well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Viral 10-year challenge reveals effects on Iran’s environment

TEHRAN – Environmentalists took up the 10-year challenge on social media, posting photos of the lakes and wetlands drying up across the country, to raise awareness about the devastating impact of climate change on the environment, Mehr reported on Saturday.

Tehran to host environmental impact assessment conference

TEHRAN – The 16th national conference on environmental impact assessment will be held in Tehran on February 20-21, Mehr news agency reported on Monday.

‘Climate change impact on Iran doubles world average’

TEHRAN – The effects of climate change on Iran has more than doubled on average compared to other parts of the world, while southern provinces of the country are more likely to bear the consequences, secretary of environmental policy at the center for strategic studies affiliated to the presidential office has said.

Iranian-German team studying prehistoric climate of Iran

TEHRAN – A team of Iranian and German researchers has commenced a survey in the plain of Varamin, Tehran province, to uncover clues about Iran’s climate in the prehistoric times, IRNA reported on Saturday.

‘Women, main role-makers in combat with climate change’

TEHRAN – Women can be the main role-makers encountering the climate change, developing the modern knowledge in programs and policies, said Masoumeh Ebtekar, Iranian Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, here on Sunday.

U.N. Chief Warns of a Dangerous Tipping Point on Climate Change

Warning of the risks of “runaway” global warming, the United Nations secretary general, António Guterres, on Monday called on global leaders to rein in climate change faster.

‘Climate change main cause of recurrent droughts in Iran’

TEHRAN - Climatic change along with changes in precipitation patterns are the main reasons behind recurrent droughts haunting different parts of the country, head of National Disaster Management Organization has said.

Temperature rises across Iran, Ahvaz hits record high

TEHRAN – Iran has experienced an average 1.3 degrees on the Celsius scale temperature rise during the past 10 months (September 23, 2017 to July 22, 2018) compared to the long-term mean with Ahvaz setting the record for the country’s hottest city, the director of the national center for drought and crisis management, affiliated to Meteorological Organization, has said.

‘Rangelands on the verge of degradation in Iran’

TEHRAN – In recent years, soil erosion, climate change, drought spells, overexploitation as well as over-grazing have led to the degradation of many rangelands in Iran, an official with the Department of Environment has said.

‘Accepting water scarcity is a step towards solving water stress’

TEHRAN — Water scarcity is not a new issue in a country like Iran which is located in an arid and semi-arid region and accepting this fact is a step towards solving water stress, Davood Parhizkar, director of Iran's Meteorological Organization (IMO) has said.

Tehran condoles Canada over heat wave deaths

TEHRAN – Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Monday extended sympathies to the Canadian nation over the recent heat wave-linked death tolls.

Weather manipulation, cloud theft claims categorically denied

TEHRAN — Davood Parhizkar, director of Iran's Meteorological Organization (IMO), has categorically denied claims about weather manipulations to prevent rain in the country, and cloud theft, ISNA reported on Wednesday.

Climate change takes center stage: 42% of islands in southern Iran could be underwater in 50 years

TEHRAN — Climate change is threatening to swamp some 42 percent of the islands in the Persian Gulf, southern Iran, in as little as 50 years, Parvin Farshchi, the deputy head of the Department of Environment (DOE) for marine affairs has said.

Climate change alarm bells ringing: Temperature rises across Iran over spring

TEHRAN — All Iranian provinces experienced an average 0.8 degrees on the Celsius scale temperature rise over spring compared to the long-term mean, the director of the national center for drought and crisis management, affiliated to Meteorological Organization, has said.

By M. Javad Zarif

US Foreign Policy in Crisis

Following the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Paris Climate Accord, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the third multilateral agreement that the current United States administration has withdrawn from.

By Maryam Qarehgozlou

Is Iran pulling out of Paris Agreement?

TEHRAN — While the cabinet of ministers and the Majlis (parliament) have approved the Paris Climate Agreement, the Guardian Council, that constitutionally holds veto power over all legislations approved by the Majlis, has not ratified the deal.

Tehran, Sofia eye increased environmental co-op

TEHRAN – Iranian and Bulgarian officials held in meeting in Tehran on Tuesday, discussing ways to boost bilateral cooperation on environmental issues.