Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
5.4
Socio-economic Impact on Coastal Settlements
This will include the following:
1. Inundation and salt water intrusion will compel a significant proportion of the
coastal zone population to abandon their land and homes.
2. Changes in the ecological system of lakes will reduce fish catches and drive away
a large portion of fishermen and their dependents.
3. Loss of beaches will reduce the number of tourists in coastal areas, forcing
tourism dependent individuals and communities to abandon their settlements and
look for jobs elsewhere.
4. Increased saltwater intrusion will affect the management and access to archae-
ological sites; reduce tourism, and result in socio-economic impacts on the
inhabitants of these areas.
5. Increased unemployment induces political and civil unrest.
6. Increased water-logging and salinity give rise to insect and pest problems which
in turn causes health problems.
7. Increases in temperature lead to increased soil erosion and dust. Increased dust
has direct adverse impacts on health, installations and equipment. Increased wind
speed encourages sand dune movements and threatens coastal infrastructure.
8. Increased humidity and temperature decrease the human comfort zone, and
reduce human productivity.
5.5
Regional Impacts of Accelerated Climate Change
Egypt is potentially one of the countries most at risk from the effects of climate
change. It is located in an arid - to semi-arid zone. Its only source of water, the River
Nile, provides more than 95 % of all water available to the country. The source of
this water lies far to the south, from rainfall on Ethiopian hills (86 %) and equatorial
lakes (14 %). Most of the population of Egypt (over 60 million people in total)
is associated with the agricultural sector which constitutes 20 % of gross national
product (GNP) and consumes about 80 % of the water budget.
The coastal zone of Egypt extends for more than 3,000 km and is the home
of more than 40 % of the population. Most of these people live in and around a
number of very important and highly populated industrial and commercial cities:
Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta, Rosetta and Suez.
Alexandria city is one of the oldest cities on the Mediterranean coast, and is
an important tourist, industrial and economic center. The city has a waterfront
that extends for 60 km, from Abu-Qir Bay in the east to Sidi Krier in the west
and includes a number of beaches and harbors. Alexandria's beaches are the main
summer resort of the country, and its harbors are the most important import/export
link between Egypt and Europe. About 40 % of all Egyptian industry is located
within the governorate of Alexandria. As a result of its high population density
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