How science shapes our lives
How science shapes our lives
Four Egyptian researchers have explained how they are contributing to the fight against time substitution as their country hosts the COP27 weather summit.
World leaders, scientists and policymakers gather in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the 27th Climate Summit of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP27). So far, discussions have focused on the pressing desire to decarbonize industries with high emission adaptation methods for climate-resilient agriculture, and payment for loss and damage.
As the convention enters its week at the moment, Nature spoke to 4 meteorological scientists from the host country about their research, the demanding situations they face and their hopes for COP27.
Hany Mostafa, Institute for Research on Environment and Climate Change, Egyptian National Water Research Centre, Cairo.
At my think tank, we are running projects to mitigate sea level rise in the Nile Delta and reading its effect on farmers and local residents.
There is a lot of uncertainty in the box due to the diversity of climate models, which makes it difficult to translate our studies into feasible projects that can be implemented immediately. With the computers we have, it can take 3 months to run a model, while high-performance computers can do it in an hour. The lack of assistive technologies leads to delays in the production of our studios.
My colleagues are wrapping up COP27 and making a presentation on Water Day, November 14. But we are only investigating, we cannot replace politics. We need to hear about an agreement to reduce emissions until the end of COP27, and see deeds, not just words. We have heard enough pledges at past COP meetings.
Mohamed Salem Nashwan, Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Shipping, Cairo.
In my research, I examine regional climate change. Our models show that even in the positive scenario, in which countries are dedicated to restricting global warming to between 1. 5°C and 2°C, the average temperature in Egypt will remain 1. 3°C to 2°C. 1. 5°C until the end of the century. We will revel in increased winter rainfall, excessive rainfall, and longer periods of drought.
There is a huge gap in meteorological studies in the Middle East and North Africa. Most studies focus on Europe or the Mediterranean region. You may not find particular studies on Egypt, for example; The painting that exists is like a by-product of studies on the Mediterranean region or the African continent.
In developed countries, updating the climate is considered a major challenge and other people are demonstrating about it in the streets. Here in Egypt, this is not the top priority. We have several challenges, to which are added the economic and those related to water, so the environmental ones are not the most sensitive on the list. But Egypt, which hosts COP27 this year, has nevertheless brought the climate crisis to the surface. COP27 is primarily aimed at policymakers, will raise national awareness of climate challenges and make our studies more valuable. But I worry that at the end of COP27, things will return to the way they were before.
Lamiaa Mahmoud, University of Florida, Gainsville and Mansoura University, Egypt.
We already know that climate change affects many facets of our lives, such as agricultural products, food security and public health.
My studies focus on finding methods to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and the sea point in the Nile Valley. I collaborate with plant breeding scientists at the University of Florida to find plant genotypes that can tolerate drought and peak salinity.
The biggest challenge for me is knowing that while anything can be done to avoid economic and agricultural losses, nothing can be done instantly. The implementation of the effects of meteorological studies is a long and exhausting process, and investment and potential benefits are key factors.
Even if our studies propose solutions, I believe that it is not up to scientists to translate the effects of their studies into effective adaptation projects. So I hope that with COP27 we can see quick action to start the implementation of such projects before it becomes too much. late.
Aya Al-Sharqawy, CEO and co-founder of Recyclizer, Cairo.
I was a speaker at a consultation on climate replacement, adaptation, loss and damage on COP27 Youth and Future Generations Day (held on 10 November), and spoke about my implementation at some other consultation.
The company I co-founded, Recyclizer, collects plastic waste from the streets and recycles it into a mulch film that can be used to cover the ground, prevent damage, and reduce the amount of water needed for irrigation.
In my educational research, I have focused on how decision-making in the public and sectors affects the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Change in Egypt.
Lack of knowledge or poor access to knowledge was my biggest challenge. Others come with access to study articles in clinical journals: as a student in an emerging country, paying a fee to access foreign journals is a problem.
I hope that the participation of young Africans and Egyptians in COP27 will raise social awareness about climate, replace and put pressure on decision-makers to present Egyptian and African projects in climate action.
This article is reprinted with permission and was first published on November 14, 2022.
Arab-American scientist
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