UNESCO heritage sites at grave risk: 50 could vanish by 2050

Climate change analysts have examined which UNESCO World Heritage sites are most at risk due to the climate crisis, finding that 50 iconic sites could be destroyed by 2050.

Floods, coastal erosion, landslides, strong winds, extreme heat, storms, and cyclones are just some of the climate-related threats affecting iconic places worldwide. Climate X, a data analysis company focused on climate change, examined how these factors would impact 500 cultural and natural heritage sites, identifying the 50 most at risk by 2050.

UNESCO—the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—recognizes 1,223 cultural and natural world heritage sites worldwide. According to Climate X, 500 of them are directly at risk from the effects of the climate catastrophe. Fifty could be destroyed by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced.

According to Climate X, critically endangered sites include the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Olympic and Everglades National Parks in the United States, and the Sansa Mountain Buddhist monasteries in Korea. The list consists of a total of 17 European World Heritage sites, with floods and droughts being the main threats on the continent.

The Swedish Engelsberg Ironworks is the most threatened site by climate change in Europe, ranking fourth on the list of 50 worldwide due to the threat of surface and river flooding. Dating back to the 17th century, the ironworks is considered an outstanding example of a European industrial complex and the best-preserved example of a Swedish ironworks that increased Sweden's prosperity for two centuries.

Next is the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc Cave in Ardèche, France, which ranks sixth. It is threatened by surface flooding and landslides. If it disappears, we will lose the earliest known and best-preserved figurative drawings, dated 32,000 years ago. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region in the Swiss Alps, ranking 11th, barely missed the top 10. It contains the largest glacier in Europe, which is shrinking at a depressing rate, similar to others on the continent.

Lukky Ahmed, CEO and co-founder of Climate X, commented on the data presented by the company in a statement. He said: "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."