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What can we do to protect fellow humans?

2010-11-15 23:31:18 | Globally Speaking

 

I read this morning an article by Justin Gillis in the New York Times [13 November 2010] on the melting glaciers of Greenland. There is nothing new, everyday we have new reports some saying that things are getting worse. This article estimates a probable rise of 5 feet in sea level by 2100. For many countries if such a rise materializes within the next 90 years it would be an unmitigated disaster.

 

Confronted with such bad news most of us turn the page and look for optimistic news. Is it acceptable that we just forget about those parts of the world whose lives will be destroyed within the next century? Can people around the world learn from the achievements of Linux, Wikipaedia and others to develop a global program of mutual help?

 

Take for example, the Nile Delta of Egypt. The Nile Delta is the home of millions of Egyptians, contributed immensely to human civilization, is a great historical museum, and provides much of the food supply of Egypt. The Delta is already, slowly, going under. We know that the city of Cleopatra is already under the sea.  We all know that the Dutch have built sea defenses centuries ago and recovered a third of their country from the sea. So clearly there is a lot that can be done.

 

It is most likely that many scientists in Egypt have already been actively studying sea defenses to protect the Nile Delta. Alas, a Google search did not reveal many published studies.

 

The Nile Delta can be protected, considerably enlarged and ancient archeological sites recovered thus enriching our knowledge of our historical past. It is very likely that the real estate value of the recovered land and the touristy value of the archeological sites could very well cover the cost of such a monumental project.

 

Obviously, planning such a project involves a range of expertise. We need geologists and experts in the construction of sea defenses to give us reliable information on the relationship between cost and the areas that may be economically recovered and protected.

 

Can one hope that eminent geologists, civil engineers, space scientists and others contribute their talent and collaborate with contractors expert in the construction of large scale sea defenses compute a rough idea of the cost, time required for implementing such a project? A few generous experts could pave the way for a feasible project that could save the Nile Delta. We need expert volunteers.

 

Once we have an idea of the physical work to be accomplished and its cost we will need the creativity of the world population to develop a "financial and management" plan to undertake such a challenging project.

 

The Nile Delta Project would serve as a model to handle even more complex and difficult challenges. Using the internet to mobilize the human race to react creatively to the enormous challenges confronting us should be an enjoyable and exhilarating experience.

 

A world wide program to help each other could transform international relations and usher a new form of globalization motivated by genuine human solidarity.

 

A. B. Zahlan

                                     

REF:

Nile Delta & Climate Change (via Google)

Post by meresankh on Apr 23, 2010, 8:44pm

http://ramessesthepharaoh.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=cafe&action=print&thread=651