Continued Emission of Greenhouse Gases Makes Southern Iran 'Uninhabitable'

Results of a new study published on Monday in the prestigious scientific journal 'Nature' indicate that if greenhouse gases are not controlled, the areas surrounding the Persian Gulf will become uninhabitable due to severe heat waves starting from 2070. The journal 'Nature' reported that the trend of greenhouse gas emissions and rising temperatures in these regions poses a 'serious barrier' to human habitation. According to the Associated Press, if the levels of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide in the air continue to rise at the current rate, the temperatures in the areas around the Persian Gulf will reach levels that the human body will not be able to withstand in the coming years. The British publication 'The Guardian' also reported that these climatic changes will affect the cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and the southern coasts of Iran. The report describes the upcoming heat wave in these areas as 'deadly' and a threat to the lives of millions of pilgrims who travel annually for the Hajj religious ceremonies in Saudi Arabia. This report is based on research by Professor Jeremy Pal and Professor Fathi Al-Taher from MIT, published in 'Nature'. The two professors predict that the extreme heat waves, which exceed human tolerance, will make these areas 'uninhabitable' after 2070. According to the report, the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity, will reach 74 to 77 degrees Celsius (165 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit) by the end of the century, which is described as 'dangerous' for humans. The report adds that given the unique climate and geography of the Persian Gulf region, if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, this area will witness severe climatic changes every decade. Professor Jeremy Pal compared these changes to the deadly heat wave in Europe in 2003, which resulted in over 70,000 deaths. Professor Al-Taher expressed hope that this research could encourage countries in the region to strive to reduce greenhouse gases. He stated that while the human body may tolerate high temperatures for a short period, such temperatures, for example, six hours a day for outdoor workers, are 'unbearable'. Middle Eastern countries also faced extreme heat last summer, leading to the deaths of some residents in these areas. According to the report, the port city of Mahshahr in southern Iran experienced a temperature of 46 degrees Celsius with 50% humidity in the summer of 2015.