Unique Iraqi Wetlands Disappear, While New Zealand Floods

The Huwaiza marshes are fed by the river Tigris. They have been occupied since the dawn of civilization. Climate change is now causing these marshes to disappear at an extraordinary rate (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/death-in-the-marshes-environmental-calamity-hits-iraqs-unique-wetlands). Three thousand square kilometres of the Huwaiza marsh have already been lost. A further 400 square kilometres are currently being lost to desertification each year. The authorities estimate that 25% of Iraq's fresh water will disappear in the next 10 years. Concomitantly, there is intense flooding, with loss of life, on New Zealand's North Island (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/29/auckland-flooding-death-toll-rises-as-new-zealand-hit-with-more-heavy-rain-and-landslides). Clearly, it's not just North America and Europe, who have climate change-fuelled extreme weather events (although we are major causal agents). Global heating means extreme weather will be (and are) worldwide happenings. Our media, naturally, focuses on 'local' events but there are extreme weather challenges, that most of us never hear anything about.