Environmental Issues and Concerns in Iraq and Kurdistan Region Due to Various Pollutants

A privileged geographical location in the Middle East characterizes Iraq’s land. It is dry, sweltering weather in summer (about 50°C), cold (about 0°C) in winter, and snowy in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) in the north of Iraq. The climatic conditions and natural water sources, such as waterfalls, made the KRI a tourist area visited by thousands to enjoy scenic views. The Middle East is witnessing general climatic change resulting from global warming. This caused a decrease in the amount of rainfall, which led to drought in agricultural areas and increased sandstorms, which could negatively affect health and tourism activity. Furthermore, economic and industrial growth has led to the release and accumulation of pollutants over time. During the war on ISIS (2014–2018), unexpected waves of displaced people across Iraq occurred, leading to an unexpected increase in the population of some areas and the consequent release of additional pollutants. All types of pollutants, including natural and economic growth and industrial pollutants, were studied, statistically analyzed, and represented graphically, from which some suitable conclusions were drawn.