Rising temperatures threaten the survival of Morocco’s palm groves

Record-high temperatures in recent weeks have led to massive fires across several oases in Morocco’s southeastern Draa-Tafilalet region, causing the destruction of vast areas of palm trees and putting the local ecosystem – and its economy – at risk.

The palm groves in the Draa-Tafilalet region were once a lush, green oasis but, in recent weeks, a combination of drought and and extreme heat caused palm fronds to ignite and allowed flames…