Alexandria is Crumbling: Climate Change is Swallowing Cleopatra’s Birthplace

Buildings in the ancient coastal city of Alexandria are collapsing at an ever increasing rate as a result of sea level rise. (Image credit: Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images)

Alexandria, the ancient Egyptian city steeped in history and once home to the legendary Cleopatra, is facing an alarming crisis. The city, founded over 2,300 years ago, is crumbling into the sea at an unprecedented rate. Climate change, particularly rising sea levels and coastal erosion, is accelerating the collapse of its infrastructure, threatening its rich cultural heritage and the lives of its residents.

A City at the Mercy of Rising Seas

Over the past two decades, at least 280 buildings have collapsed, with incidents increasing from around one per year to as many as 40 annually in recent years. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, 86 buildings completely crumbled, while 201 partially collapsed, resulting in the loss of 85 lives. Alarmingly, 7,000 more structures remain at risk of collapse.

The culprit? Seawater intrusion. As sea levels rise, saltwater seeps into Alexandria’s foundations, eroding the soil and causing buildings to weaken. The corrosive nature of saltwater also deteriorates steel reinforcements, making structures even more fragile. Without intervention, the city’s iconic coastline may soon become unrecognizable.

The Bigger Picture: A Global Climate Crisis

Alexandria’s struggles mirror the fate of many coastal cities worldwide. Since 1880, global sea levels have risen between 8 and 9 inches (20 to 23 cm), with 4 inches (10 cm) of that occurring since 1993 alone. If current trends continue, sea levels could rise by 7.2 feet (2.2 meters) by 2100, submerging entire coastal regions and displacing millions.

For Alexandria, this means that not just historical sites, but also the livelihoods of more than 5 million residents are at stake. The city’s vulnerability is further exacerbated by urban development, weak infrastructure, and inadequate flood defenses.

Alexandria is a port city that sits on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, making it vulnerable to seawater intrusion. (Image credit: Ahmed El-Kabbani/Getty Images)

Can Alexandria Be Saved?

Egyptian authorities have started implementing protective measures, such as installing concrete barriers along the coastline. However, these efforts may not be enough. Experts suggest that a combination of nature-based solutions, improved urban planning, and stricter environmental policies is needed to truly safeguard the city.

The fate of Alexandria serves as a stark warning of what lies ahead for many coastal cities. Will humanity take decisive action against climate change before it’s too late?

What are your thoughts on this crisis? Do you think global efforts are enough to combat rising sea levels? Share your views in the comments below!