Despite the repeated warnings about global warming and the melting of the ice caps that might cause parts of many coastal countries to disappear underwater, the Egyptian Government does not seem at all worried, although much of the fertile agricultural land in the Delta could be affected. Most of the developing countries, including Egypt, are not responsible for this climatic crisis, but they might be the biggest losers. Therefore, their governments and scientists should work together to find a solution before it's too late. Fortunately, some Egyptian scientists have started considering how to avoid an environmental disaster. Well-known scientist Farouq el-Baz has suggested creating a new valley parallel to the Nile Valley and encouraging people living in the Delta to migrate to the new southern regions, creating new agricultural and industrial communities there,while the well-known architect Mamdouh Hamza has suggested building sea fences to prevent the Delta flooding. However, another scientist, Professor of Geology at Assiut University Khaled Abdel-Qader Owda has come up with a less expensive and indeed profitable idea. The noted professor, who has made maps predicting what Egypt might look like in coming decades with the expected rise in the sea level, believes that the solution is in digging a canal from the Mediterranean Sea to the Qattara Depression in the Western Desert to channel away any excess sea water. The project, the geologist argues, would not only protect Egypt's North Coast and Delta, but also create a great source for generating energy, boost Egypt's fish wealth and lead to the creation of new communities on the shores of the new lake that would be formed in the Depression. Professor Owda's brilliant research, that specialists believe is the most important for Egypt's future in the 21st century, has attracted no attention from the Government that seems busy searching for temporary tranquillisers for the chronic energy and food shortages the country is suffering from.
