Gamil Gamal

Understanding long-term variations in precipitation is crucial for identifying the effects of climate change and addressing hydrological and water management issues. This study examined the trends of the mean and four extreme precipitation indices, which are the max 1-day precipitation amount, the max 5-day precipitation amount, the consecutive wet days, and the consecutive dry days, for historical observations (1971–2000) and two future periods (2041–2060/2081–2100) under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios over the Nile River Basin (NRB) at 11 major stations. Firstly, the empirical quantile mapping procedure significantly improved the performance of all RCMs, particularly those with lower performance, decreasing inter-model variability and enhanced seasonal precipitation variability. The Mann–Kendall test was used to detect the trends in climate extreme indices. This study reveals that precipitation changes vary across stations, scenarios, and time periods. Addis Ababa and Kigali anticipated a significant increase in precipitation across all periods and scenarios, ranging between 8–15% and 13–27%, respectively, while Cairo and Kinshasa exhibited a significant decrease in precipitation at around 90% and 38%, respectively. Wet (dry) spells were expected to significantly decrease (increase) over most parts of the NRB, especially during the second period (2081–2100). Thereby, the increase (decrease) in dry (wet) spells could have a direct impact on water resource availability in the NRB. This study also highlights that increased greenhouse gas emissions have a greater impact on precipitation patterns. This study’s findings might be useful to decision makers as they create NRB-wide mitigation and adaptation strategies to deal with the effects of climate change.

The objectives of the work were to understand the potential future climate changes in the Mediterranean region, assess the drought tolerance of the black calla lily (Arum palaestinum Boiss.), and investigate the mechanisms associated with its ability to withstand drought conditions. The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were used to predict future temperature and precipitation changes. Both the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios predicted a general increase in minimum and maximum temperatures and a decrease in precipitation. The projected increase in minimum temperature ranged from 2.95 °C under SSP2-4.5 to 5.67 °C under SSP5-8.5. The projected increase in maximum temperature ranged from 0.69 °C under SSP2-4.5 to 3.34 °C under SSP5-8.5. The projected decrease in precipitation ranged from −1.04 mm/day under SSP2-4.5 to −1.11 mm/day under SSP5-8.5. Results indicated that drought significantly impacted the physiological responses of the black calla lily. As drought increased, the black calla lily showed a reduction in leaf characteristics and non-structural carbohydrates, while proline content and reducing sugar content were increased, enhancing drought tolerance through osmoregulation. The black calla lily tolerates drought at a total ET of up to 50%. It has the potential to adapt to expected climate change through osmoregulation or by building a carbon and nitrogen sink for stress recovery.

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ever Given ship blockage on the air quality in Suez Canal region. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and aerosol optical depth (AOD) were studied, and data were obtained from satellite instruments. The study compared monthly average data for 2020, 2021, and 2022 with a baseline period of 2017–2019 to investigate the pandemic’s effect. The study also analyzed the corresponding period of the canal blockage to identify its impact on air pollution levels. The pandemic had a significant role in decreasing NO₂ by 2.5 × 10¹⁴ molecule/cm² and SO₂ by 0.05 DU due to reduced car traffic and industrial activities. A reduction in AOD by 20% and CO concentration in the range from 3.5% to 4.7% was reported in early 2020. During the blockage, NO₂ and SO₂ levels decreased by 14.4% and 66.0%, respectively, while CO and AOD index increased by 12.68% and 51.0%, respectively. The study concludes that the containment measures during the pandemic had a positive impact on the environment, which shows how the reduction in the anthropogenic activities, especially industrial and transportation activities, have improved the air quality. Thus, stricter actions are needed to protect the environment; for example, the transition towards the using of electric vehicle is necessary, which is part of Egypt’s strategy to transition towards a green economy. The government should also adopt a policy to trade carbon emissions reduction certificates to help reduce air pollution.

Climate change implications are a severe risk to food security and the economy. Global warming could disturb the production of both rainfed and irrigated agriculture thru the amplify of yield water requests in many areas. In this study, the fast-track projections available through the Inter-Sectors Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI-MIP) were presented and analyzed to assess the effects of two global warming (GW) levels (1.5 and 2.0 °C) on the maize and wheat yields in Egypt. Outcomes proposed spatial variations in the effects of temperature change on crop yield. Compared with the referenced situation, an observed national average change in wheat yield about 5.0% (0.0% to 9.0%) and 5.0% (−3.0% to 14.0%) under GW1.5 and GW2.0 respectively. While for maize yield, the change in national average about −1.0% (−5.0% to 3.0%) and −4.0% (−8.0% to 2.0%) under GW1.5 and GW2.0 respectively. GW1.5 could be helpful for wheat yield, but the positive effect decayed when the warming level reached 2.0 °C overhead the pre-industrial level. Nevertheless, the possible deviations to Egypt’s maize production under the GW1.5 and GW2.0 scenarios are unclear where the models do not agree with the sign of change. Adjusting the temperature rise within 1.5 °C would diminish the yield reduction, as it is an extraordinary priority to safeguard crop production. To achieve Progress of innovative agronomic managing plans and swapping to additional drought-resistant crops may be valuable for coping with climate change in regions vulnerable to yield decline.