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M. A. S. Abdel Monem and B. Radojevic
of small-scale farmers had large ruminants (i.e. cows and/or buffaloes), and 47.3 had
small ruminants (i.e. goats and/or sheep) [16]. Most of these small-scale farmers
supplement their livelihoods with off-farm income as the produce from their crops
and livestock is insufficient to sustain them. They diversify into a variety of primarily
rural activities with a smaller portion obtaining part of their livelihood in urban areas
[16].
4 Vulnerability of Egypt to Climate Change
Although Egypt is one of the least contributors to the global CO 2 emission, with
only 0.63%, it is considered as one of the countries that are greatly impacted by the
climate change. The vulnerability of Egypt to climate change is aggravated by the
significant dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, the concentration of populations
in certain areas, and the economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. It has
been recognized that the sectors of water resources, agricultural resources and food
security and coastal resources are all highly vulnerable with serious socioeconomic
implications [17]. In addition to the impact of climate change on increasing the temperature and decreasing precipitation in the Near East North Africa Region including
Egypt, the IPCC [8], has singled out the Nile Delta in Egypt as one of the low-lying
river deltas that are considered as one of the most vulnerable systems to climate
change and sea level rise.
The Nile Delta in Egypt accounts for more than 50% of Egypt’s economic activity
through agriculture, industry and fisheries. It contributes about 20% of the Egypt’s
GDP and account for the largest source of employment, around 30% of the labor
force. According to UNDP [18], most of Egypt’s population and activities including
industry, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure and development is located along the
northern coastal area, and the reliance on the Nile Delta for prime agricultural land
is critically important to the country’s economy. Studies on the vulnerability of the
City of Alexandria, showed that sea level rise of 0.3 m would lead to infrastructure
damage worth billions of dollars, displacement of over half a million inhabitants, and
a loss of about 70,000 jobs. The lagoons of the Delta’s coastal area are considered
among the most productive natural systems in Egypt and they are internationally
renowned for their abundant bird life. It has been estimated that approximately 60%
of Egypt’s annual fish catch are from three main Delta lagoons, Idku, Burullus and
Manzalla, separated from the Mediterranean by 0.5–3 km sand belt and dune system.
Coastal flooding and/or permanent inundation of these areas would lead to a decline
in water quality in coastal freshwater lagoons and corresponding adverse impacts on
fisheries and biodiversity.
M. A. S. Abdel Monem and B. Radojevic
of small-scale farmers had large ruminants (i.e. cows and/or buffaloes), and 47.3 had
small ruminants (i.e. goats and/or sheep) [16]. Most of these small-scale farmers
supplement their livelihoods with off-farm income as the produce from their crops
and livestock is insufficient to sustain them. They diversify into a variety of primarily
rural activities with a smaller portion obtaining part of their livelihood in urban areas
[16].
4 Vulnerability of Egypt to Climate Change
Although Egypt is one of the least contributors to the global CO 2 emission, with
only 0.63%, it is considered as one of the countries that are greatly impacted by the
climate change. The vulnerability of Egypt to climate change is aggravated by the
significant dependence on climate-sensitive sectors, the concentration of populations
in certain areas, and the economic activity in flood-prone urban coastal zones. It has
been recognized that the sectors of water resources, agricultural resources and food
security and coastal resources are all highly vulnerable with serious socioeconomic
implications [17]. In addition to the impact of climate change on increasing the temperature and decreasing precipitation in the Near East North Africa Region including
Egypt, the IPCC [8], has singled out the Nile Delta in Egypt as one of the low-lying
river deltas that are considered as one of the most vulnerable systems to climate
change and sea level rise.
The Nile Delta in Egypt accounts for more than 50% of Egypt’s economic activity
through agriculture, industry and fisheries. It contributes about 20% of the Egypt’s
GDP and account for the largest source of employment, around 30% of the labor
force. According to UNDP [18], most of Egypt’s population and activities including
industry, agriculture, and tourism infrastructure and development is located along the
northern coastal area, and the reliance on the Nile Delta for prime agricultural land
is critically important to the country’s economy. Studies on the vulnerability of the
City of Alexandria, showed that sea level rise of 0.3 m would lead to infrastructure
damage worth billions of dollars, displacement of over half a million inhabitants, and
a loss of about 70,000 jobs. The lagoons of the Delta’s coastal area are considered
among the most productive natural systems in Egypt and they are internationally
renowned for their abundant bird life. It has been estimated that approximately 60%
of Egypt’s annual fish catch are from three main Delta lagoons, Idku, Burullus and
Manzalla, separated from the Mediterranean by 0.5–3 km sand belt and dune system.
Coastal flooding and/or permanent inundation of these areas would lead to a decline
in water quality in coastal freshwater lagoons and corresponding adverse impacts on
fisheries and biodiversity.