In recent years, global warming has become a major issue for the entire world. A global catastrophe is waiting to happen, like a ticking time bomb. Experts who have studied the disaster from the beginning estimate that in about 30 to 40 years, the northern seas could be entirely free of ice.
For some countries, the devastation of the environment will prove to be an economic boost. Imagine this for a second, an ice free North Pole will offer endless possibilities, untapped natural resources can be heavily exploited and it will be a blessing, a godsend some may say, for the global trade. New shipping channels will open up the region creating a shortcut between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, which in turn would mean cutting travel times between Europe and the Far East.
But, what does this mean for Egypt and its economy?
One of Egypt's main sources of income is ships and vessels traveling through the Suez Canal. If a different shortcut is established, Egypt's economy will collapse.
Today, the Suez Canal is the fastest way to commute between the Far East and Europe. The Russian Transportation Ministry announced that the opening up of the North East Passage, the new canal, would significantly reduce the distance traveled . It is estimated that 18,000 ships will most probably use the new route, which is roughly the same number of vessels that travel through the Suez Canal.
Once this alternative route is created, the number of ships travelling through the Suez Canal will fall dramatically. For this reason, the Egyptian authorities will probably be forced to reduce the fees the ships must pay to travel through the canal.
The entire country is likely to feel the fall of the Suez Canal. Any crash could affect much-needed foreign revenues. Schools, roads and projects would be indirectly yet significantly affected. The entire Egyptian population would, one way or the other, take a hit.
Egypt occupies a strategic location between two continents and it controls the most important 72 kilometers of water in the world. If the canal becomes less crucial, Egypt's status as a strategic partner would decline. Thus, any impact on of the Suez Canal would directly affect Egypt's foreign policy.
Currently, Egypt is in the process of expanding the Suez Canal while global warming continues to increase at a massive pace. Needless to say, this is a wreck waiting to happen. A wreck that can be easily avoided.
Global warming is a threat. It is a huge threat that we cannot risk to ignore. Hence, the Egyptian government cannot keep overlooking such an issue and must join international efforts to slow climate change.