New
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Climate change and environmental challenges in the Middle East
I can explain how climate change affects the Middle East.
Lesson 12 of 12
New
New
- Year 9
Climate change and environmental challenges in the Middle East
I can explain how climate change affects the Middle East.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rising temperatures make the region hotter and drier.
- Water scarcity is worsening due to climate change, and this impacts food supplies.
- Countries can use their natural resources to respond to climate change.
Keywords
Climate change - the large-scale and long-term change in the planet’s climate, including weather patterns and average temperatures
Desertification - the process by which semi-arid land becomes drier and turns into desert
Water scarcity - when there are not enough freshwater resources to meet the needs in a given area
Common misconception
The Middle East is already hot and dry, so climate change won’t really affect it.
Climate change will continue to make the region hotter and drier, which will have consequences such as desertification, water scarcity and food shortages.
Try to make links between the impacts of climate change in the UK to support students in understanding the global scale of the issues surorunding climate change.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is a major environmental concern in the Middle East?
Which of the following is a major environmental concern in the Middle East?
Hurricanes
Flooded forests
Ice melting
Q2.Long-term lack of rainfall can lead to severe .
Long-term lack of rainfall can lead to severe .
Q3.What is one reason water is becoming more scarce in the Middle East?
What is one reason water is becoming more scarce in the Middle East?
Too many lakes
Decreasing oil production
Melting glaciers
Q4.What type of pollution is a growing issue in cities like Tehran or Riyadh?
What type of pollution is a growing issue in cities like Tehran or Riyadh?
Water
Soil
Light
Q5.What is the impact of overusing groundwater in dry areas?
What is the impact of overusing groundwater in dry areas?
Underground water rises
Rivers get deeper
Soil gets stronger
Q6.What human activity speeds up desertification in the Middle East?
What human activity speeds up desertification in the Middle East?
Reforestation
Conservation
Eco-tourism
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.Which of the following is a likely effect of climate change in the Middle East?
Which of the following is a likely effect of climate change in the Middle East?
Cooler winters
Increased rainfall
More forest growth
Q3.How might climate change affect food supply in the Middle East?
How might climate change affect food supply in the Middle East?
Better crop growth
More fishing in the desert
It will not affect farming
Q4.Why is the idea that climate change won't affect the Middle East wrong?
Why is the idea that climate change won't affect the Middle East wrong?
It will only affect cold regions
Climate change makes deserts shrink
The region is protected by oil wealth
