Iraq's Dying Garden of Eden

In Iraq, climate change has transformed the once mythical mesopotamian marshes into deserts. It's not only temperatures that exceed 125°F and record low rainfall, but dams built by Turkey, Iran, and Syria on the Tigris and Euphrates river have stopped the flow of water before it can pass the border. Thousands have already been displaced in a drought that threatens the entire country.

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[YananoBere]

I'm deeply worried about how badly drought will devastate the developing world. It is so much worse than many people realise and we are so vulnerable and don't have the infrastructure to cope.

[jordanjenks]

I feel for these people. It reminds me how fortunate we are to have fresh drinkable water whenever we need it.

[SquizzMe]

My parents left Iraq in the mid-90s and never saw the old country ever again. Even though I was only 8, it's still a gap that's basically impossible to fill. Always being a foreigner, yet never having a home to return to feels like exile...."And they admitted that they were foreigners and strangers on earth."

[KenshinButtuosin]

'What is hard? Hard is an understatement'. This hit me even harder.

[suckyxmcsuck]

My family can trace our history back to this marshes. These marshes were more than a place to grow a flock; it was a place of civilization and pride. This video genuinely breaks my heart, and the tears of Freha are my tears as well.

[svsuke]

Vice has kept informed over the last couple years, hoping yall get the funds you need 🙏

[raymo]

As an iraqi I love these documentarys that yall do on iraq to showcase the kind of problems we face. Much appreciated vice. Keep up the good work on the reports on iraq. Hopefully more to comd

[terramater]

It's insane and worrying how lakes are disappearing all over the world. Our crew recently filmed a disappearing lake in Austria and the Great Salt Lake in Utah, which is not only about drying up but also about what we found underneath its surface.

[nomadmomofficial]

The poor Iraqi people have been through so much. They need the International community to do something ASAP. Thanks Vice for publishing important videos like this.

[thequackashow]

Heartbreaking but even more heartbreaking knowing nothing will change 🥴 Sending prays to Iraq

[ihabalwash]

It just breaks my heart to see the cradle of human civilisation devastated like this, we need global experts and environmental organisations and activists to stand with us because the Iraqi government is very corrupt and most of the political powers in Iraq are backwards and stupid plus turkey and Iran are cutting off the water so the fate of the original garden of Eden is very grim and needs all the help it can get...
Thanks to Vice for doing their part.

[littlerayofsunshine]

Man, when you said packing up their house, you really meant packing up their house.

[farazkhan]

very good journalism. keep up the good work. may allah help the iraqis with peace and prosperity.

[michaeldolenak]

It’s so frustrating that nothing is general is being done for the planet, it’s so discouraging.

[charlie]

I'll never stopping loving vice you guys really put the j in journalism

[maneonedbd]

Vice always gives the real insight 🙌🏽 thank you for blessing us with the best content …

[collado]

I remember being there in 2006 and it was full of life..

[Anakaraya]

The destruction of the iraqi marshlands is heartbreaking for not just the people of the marshlands, not just Iraqi people, but the world. Civilization sprung from these marshlands. This is where the first city states emerged. It’s heartbreaking to watch it disappear. That’s thousands of years of not just natural history, but also historic society, just gone.

[alfonsomunoz]

All over the world water scarcity is a problem. It's tough seeing these people in a bad situation.

[amarfateen]

So heartbreaking! Thanks for reports like this....