Renowned researchers from Climate X have issued a stark warning: climate change could spell the end for dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites by 2050. Using advanced climate models, the team has identified the looming threats from flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, wind-based hazards, storms, and cyclones.
The grim findings
In their comprehensive analysis, the experts pinpointed 50 heritage sites at significant risk. “Our findings serve as a stark warning for governments, preservationists, and the global community to prioritize the safeguarding of our planet—to preserve our ancient monuments and our current assets and infrastructure—and to protect life today and into the future,” said Lukky Ahmed, CEO and co-founder of Climate X.
With a total of 1,223 sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, these landmarks are deemed invaluable and in urgent need of protection. Climate X‘s recent study sheds light on which of these historical treasures may not withstand the ravages of climate change.
The methodology
Climate X leveraged its Spectra platform to forecast the future of these heritage sites. This cutting-edge tool models the potential impacts of climate change on properties, assets, and infrastructure under various scenarios. The platform’s algorithm evaluated the risk from 16 different climate hazards, including tropical cyclones, extreme heat, and flooding, across eight warming scenarios projected over the next century.
Top sites at risk
The analysis revealed that if global greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current rate, 50 critical sites are in peril. Leading the list is Indonesia’s Subak System, which faces threats from surface flooding, extreme heat days, and drought. Australia’s Kakadu National Park follows, vulnerable to surface flooding and wildfires, while China’s Quanzhou: Emporium of the World is at risk of drought.
Other notable sites on the endangered list include Australia’s Sydney Opera House, the US Olympic National Park, Switzerland’s Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch, and Korea’s Sansa Buddhist Mountain Monasteries. In India, the at-risk sites encompass Khangchendzonga National Park, Sun Temple in Konarak, Keoladeo National Park, Sundarbans National Park, and the Churches and Convents of Goa.
A call to action
“The potential impact of climate change on these sites is profound,” Ahmed emphasized. “But it’s not just our past heritage that’s at risk—it’s our present, too. While the loss of these cultural treasures—many of which have endured for millennia—would of course be devastating, it’s also vital to remember the real societal and economic impact of climate change is happening in the here and now,” he added.
This report from Climate X underscores the urgent need for global action to mitigate the effects of climate change. The preservation of our world’s cultural and natural heritage depends on it.