Egypt’s coastal cities are being especially affected by rising sea levels and some of the land under threat is among the country’s most fertile.

Egypt has good reason to fear global warming. Rising sea levels could swamp much of its coast in coming years.

“Most of the cities that are situated on the Mediterranean sea such as Alexandria, Damietta, Ras El Bar, Port Said are the ones most affected by the rise in water levels. All studies say that by 2040 and 2050 the whole of the delta area will completely drown,” said Ahmed Abdel Aal, chairman of Egyptian Meteorological Authority.

The endangered land runs for 240 kilometers along the coast, but it links to Cairo through the Nile Delta region. The problem is that this area along the Delta, includes the highest quality of arable land with the most densely populated cities and villages in the country.

According to U.N. studies, Egypt’s food production could fall nearly 60 percent by 2050. And about 20 percent of the population, that is nearly 30 million by then, will be forced to leave their stricken cities. But this disturbing scenario can be avoided.

“The government has assembled a team that is building blocks on the beaches to stop the rise in water levels from reaching the cities, while the world is trying to halt global warming, which means that temperatures should then go down,” Ahmed Abdel Aal said.

To protect the sea shores is a costly endeavor. Egypt is working with the U.N. and World Bank to provide the proper funding and expertise. They hope to avert a future social, economic and humanitarian crisis.