Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations Security Council, has warned member states about the escalating threat of rising sea levels, describing it as potentially leading to a mass exodus of populations on an unprecedented scale. Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city with a population of 5.5 million, is particularly vulnerable to this peril. Violent winter storms and flash floods are becoming more frequent, endangering the city's seafront. In response to this imminent danger, Alexandria, listed by UNESCO as one of several Mediterranean cities needing tsunami preparedness by 2030, is urgently seeking solutions.
The sinking city of Alexandria faces a twofold crisis. As the city sinks, seawater infiltrates the fertile delta, posing a severe risk of saline contamination to Egypt's most productive agricultural region. With over 90% of Egypt being desert, the potential consequences of such contamination are catastrophic. In response, Egypt is deploying concrete protective barriers to stem the tide, constructing a patchwork of large slabs along the coastline. These structures, now embedded in the receding sandy beaches, serve as platforms for tourists to take selfies and also serve as a reminder of Alexandria's submerged historical heritage.
The challenges facing Egypt do not end with rising sea levels. The country heavily relies on the Nile River as its primary source of fresh water, but it is now threatened by climate change, urban pollution, and competition among riparian states. Additionally, Egypt's struggling economy and a rapidly growing population, with 60% under the age of 30, contribute to a quest for a better quality of life, often sought through emigration. However, obtaining visas has become increasingly difficult, leading to a rise in illegal migration. Since 2021, the number of Egyptians using illicit routes across the Mediterranean has tripled.
While Egypt contributes only a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for climate change, the European nations bear a greater responsibility but face fewer consequences. Nevertheless, the intertwined issues of migration and climate change have far-reaching implications for all countries involved. Alexandria, once known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, is gradually succumbing to the sea, and internal population displacement appears inevitable. Rural migration is already swelling the city's suburbs, amplifying the urgency of the situation. Guterres' warning about a biblical-scale mass exodus takes on a realistic and alarming tone.
In conclusion, Alexandria's struggle against climate change is a race against time. Rising sea levels, violent storms, and flash floods threaten the city's existence and compromise the fertile delta, posing a catastrophic risk to Egypt's agriculture. Simultaneously, Egypt faces challenges with the Nile River, its main source of fresh water, and increasing difficulties in securing visas, leading to a rise in illegal migration. While Egypt's contributions to greenhouse gas emissions are minimal compared to European nations, the consequences of climate change and migration intertwine and have far-reaching implications for all countries involved. The sinking city of Alexandria serves as a stark reminder of the urgent action required to address climate change and its dire consequences.
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