Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries - (IPCC) - Working ...

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CHAPTER 4
COASTAL AREAS
FIGURE 6
COASTAL EROSION CHANGES AS OBSERVED FROM ANALYSIS OF SATELLITE IMAGES MORE THAN 30
YEARS.
(CRS-BU, E. Ghoneim - AFED 2009 Report)
Special analysis carried out for AFED Report by E. Ghoneim at the Center <strong>of</strong> Remote Sensing, Boston University
• Lack <strong>of</strong> data and information
The near lack <strong>of</strong> data and information on various
aspects <strong>of</strong> vulnerabilities along the coastal zone is
another characteristic <strong>of</strong> the region. Very limited
time series data are available on extreme events,
changing sea level, ground water salinity and land
subsidence in the coastal regions.
IV. VULNERABILITY OF THE ARAB
COASTAL ZONE TO IMPACTS OF CLI-
MATE CHANGE
Very limited studies <strong>of</strong> the integrated impacts
<strong>of</strong> climate change on the Arab coastal zones are
available; however, there are a number <strong>of</strong> scattered
studies on some cities (e.g. Sestini, 1991;
El Raey et al., 1995). In addition, many Arab
countries have submitted their initial communications
to the UNFCCC with a somewhat
preliminary overview <strong>of</strong> their vulnerabilities.
However, a recent study carried out by the
World Bank for developing countries has
stressed the vulnerability <strong>of</strong> the Arab region
and has estimated percentage potential impacts
<strong>of</strong> sea level rise on countries <strong>of</strong> the region
(Dasgupta et al., 2007). Figures 2 through 5
present the results <strong>of</strong> this comparison <strong>of</strong> vulnerabilities
<strong>of</strong> various sectors <strong>of</strong> countries <strong>of</strong> the
region due to a sea level rise <strong>of</strong> 1m and 5m.
While a sea level rise <strong>of</strong> more than 1m is a most
unlikely scenario (in this author’s point <strong>of</strong>
view), a comparison <strong>of</strong> percentage impacts
among certain countries and across sectors in
the region is nonetheless very useful to consid-