Is not climate change mismanagement or complete neglect of the problem?

schainks 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Iran specifically had infrastructure in place to help manage the water for Tehran (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qanat). The Ayatollahs not only _destroyed_ that infrastructure and the system of humans needed to maintain it, but they also encouraged pumping of water from local aquifers, among other obviously stupid water management techniques: https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/khomeini...

So, you are right, but in Iran's case, the current regime pretty much did the opposite of anything you should have done, while also chopping of their hands to do anything more.

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graemep 9 minutes ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Climate change is actually a strong reason for better management. The same is true everywhere. More floods? You need to provide better drainage. Drier climate risking more forest fires? You need to manage forests better.

In many cases governments are cutting back on spending on dealing with these sorts of problems because they can avoid blame by saying it is a result of climate change and few people ask why they did not act to mitigate the effects.

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baxtr 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Absolutely.

But the problems are on different time scales and spheres of influence.

Iran can’t do anything on their own against climate change. But they can decide to fund water projects instead of bombs.

It’s a bit like saying: I went to the beach for a day and got sunburned. It’s climate change!

Yes the sun got more intense because of climate change (maybe) but why didn’t you buy an umbrella or sun screen?

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Y-bar 2 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Over 50% of their economy is petroleum, managed by the Ministry of Petroleum government body.

They pump over 4 Million barrels per day (https://ycharts.com/indicators/iran_crude_oil_production).

This equals about 1.7 Million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per day, which is an increase of 120% since year 2000 and corresponds to about 2% of the global CO2 emissions.

No nation on earth like Iran, save perhaps for China and Norway, is in such a unique position of power, both economically, socially, and with the engineering knowhow) and political ability to actually do something to prevent climate damage. Instead they are making the situation more difficult.

	▲	baxtr 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yes I agree. Still it isn’t either or. You can do both if you’re sensible. One will help in the mid-term and the other in the long-term.

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paganel 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> But they can decide to fund water projects instead of bombs.

And become again a client state of the West, you forgot that part.

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graemep 6 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

> And become again a client state of the West, you forgot that part.

That matters if you live in a functioning democracy.

If you are being exploited and oppressed by your own ruling class rather than a foreign one it makes little difference. You might even be better off.

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baxtr 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Oh yes sorry. I forgot that it’s much better to let your people starve then to be a client state of the West. I think you have your trade-offs right.

	▲	croes 41 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		People in western client states still starve just with less of their countries resources.