Rasha El-Shazoly is a Professor of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry at New Valley University, Egypt, with expertise in plant-microbe interactions, crop stress resilience, and sustainable agricultural biotechnology. Alongside her academic work, she is a certified Carbon Footprint Consultant specializing in environmental sustainability, carbon accounting, and greenhouse gas reporting for industrial sectors in Egypt. She also serves as Director of the Women’s Empowerment Unit at the university’s Center for Public Service and Sustainability, leading initiatives that connect gender equality with sustainable development.

Can you tell us about yourself?

I am a Professor of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in the Department of Botany and Microbiology at the Faculty of Science, New Valley University, Egypt, where I currently work. I live in Assiut Governorate. My academic career and research are focused on plant-microbe interactions, crop stress resilience, and sustainable agricultural biotechnology. 

Beyond academia, I am a certified Carbon Footprint Consultant by CIDA, specializing in environmental sustainability and carbon accounting. To expand my impact, I have recently engaged in active field practice, calculating carbon footprints and preparing comprehensive greenhouse gas reports for several key industrial factories in Egypt.

At my university, I am also the Director of the Women’s Empowerment Unit at the Center for Public Service and Sustainability, and an active member of the European COST Action network.My core interests lie in driving nature-based solutions (NbS) to mitigate climate risks in arid and Mediterranean environments, providing technical expertise in carbon mitigation, and fostering transnational scientific cooperation.

Was there a specific moment for you when you saw climate resilience in practice?

As the coordinator of the 2nd Environmental Conference on 'Natural Resources and Sustainable Development' in February 2025, I was inspired by the high level of multidisciplinary synergy and multi-actor engagement. We succeeded in bringing together academic researchers, environmental policymakers, agricultural stakeholders, and young scientists under one roof. Seeing cutting-edge laboratory research in plant biochemistry and carbon accounting actively translated into actionable regional strategies, while fostering a shared vision for a greener future, was incredibly rewarding and impactful.

I aimed to create a robust regional platform bridging the gap between scientific research and practical environmental action, steering discussions toward measurable sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and the urgent deployment of nature-based solutions in arid zones. 

What was the best thing about the event?

The best thing about the event was What was the challenge and the solution that were discussed and/or proposed?

We succeeded in further integrating advanced biotechnology with nature-based adaptations; for instance, using microbial biofertilizers and tailored biostimulants to enhance crop resilience, upcycling local agricultural waste into eco-friendly materials, and establishing localised carbon footprint assessment frameworks to help regional institutions and farms systematically monitor and reduce their environmental impact.

What does adapting to climate change mean for you?

Adapting to climate change means building systemic and ecological resilience. As a plant physiologist, I view adaptation as a dynamic process of strengthening our vital systems to withstand inevitable environmental stresses. It means shifting our focus toward nature-based solutions (NbS), striving for resource efficiency, and changing our agricultural and economic frameworks to ensure long-term food security and ecosystem survival under shifting climate conditions.

What are the impacts of climate change on your daily life and how do you imagine that our society could address these problems?

Living and working in a region heavily impacted by arid conditions, the direct consequences of climate change are visible in escalating summer temperatures, water scarcity, and heightened stress on local crop productivity, which directly threatens regional agricultural stability.

Our society can address these problems by shifting from reactive crisis management to proactive, science-driven governance. We must accelerate the integration of circular biorefineries, adopt smart and precision irrigation, upcycle agricultural waste, and mandate institutional carbon footprint tracking to foster a truly sustainable and climate-resilient economy.

How do you think we can involve more young people and local communities in helping find solutions to adapt to climate change?

We can achieve this through education and participatory action. In higher education, we must transition from passive learning to active problem-solving, involving students in climate data analytics, hydroponic urban farming, and regional biodiversity mapping.

For local communities, we must demystify climate science by highlighting immediate economic and ecological incentives. Through my role as the Director of the Women’s Empowerment Unit, I focus on empowering local women in oasis communities to lead climate resilience efforts. By establishing local waste-to-compost initiatives, supporting traditional eco-friendly crafts, and deploying community-managed pilot projects, we empower individuals to take direct ownership of their environment, turning grassroots adaptation into a sustainable reality across the Mediterranean.