UNESCO World Heritage sites face destruction by 2050 due to climate crisis

Climate change analysts have examined which UNESCO World Heritage Sites are most at risk due to the climate crisis. Fifty iconic locations may be destroyed by 2050.

Flooding, coastal erosion, landslides, strong winds, extreme heat, storms, and cyclones are just some of the climate-related threats affecting iconic locations worldwide. Climate X, a company that analyses climate change data, has investigated how these will impact 500 cultural and natural heritage sites, identifying fifty of the most at risk by 2050.

Overall, UNESCO - the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - recognises 1,223 cultural and natural World Heritage Sites globally. According to Climate X, 500 of these are directly threatened by the impacts of the climate crisis. Fifty could be destroyed by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically cut.

Critically endangered sites identified by Climate X 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. Seventeen European World Heritage Sites were listed, with floods and droughts being the primary threats to the continent.

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

Right behind it is the Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave in Ardèche, France, which ranks sixth. It is at risk from surface flooding and landslides. If lost, we would lose the earliest known and best-preserved figurative drawings, dated 32,000 years. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region in the Swiss Alps, which holds 11th place, narrowly missed the top ten. It is home to the largest glacier in Europe, which is shrinking at an alarming rate, similar to others on the continent.

Climate X CEO and co-founder Lukky Ahmed commented on the company's data in a statement. He said, "Our findings serve as a stark warning for governments, preservationists and the global community to prioritise 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."