In Alexandria, Egypt, buildings are collapsing at a high rate. More than 280 buildings have fallen down in the last twenty years. This number is much higher than in earlier decades. Researchers are worried that other coastal cities will also face similar problems.
One main reason for this issue is climate change, which is causing sea levels to rise and land erosion. This process makes the soil weak and affects the foundations of buildings. Places like Tunisia and Tripoli also face risks from similar issues.
Difficult words
- collapse — to fall down suddenly or completely.collapsing
- building — a structure such as a house or office.buildings
- coastal — located near the sea.
- climate — the usual weather conditions in a place.
- erosion — the process of soil or rock being worn away.
- foundation — the base that supports a building.foundations
- researcher — a person who studies a topic.Researchers
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think climate change affects buildings?
- What can cities do to prevent building collapses?
- How might rising sea levels impact coastal cities?
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