Climate change threatens most world heritage sites
UNESCO reports that nearly three-quarters of the world's cultural and natural heritage sites are threatened by water-related risks due to climate change. A study revealed that 73% of the 1,172 non-marine sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List face risks like water scarcity, droughts, and floods, with extreme weather events becoming more frequent. The report highlights specific examples, including the Taj Mahal facing water stress and Yellowstone National Park suffering from severe flooding. The report also notes that the war in Ukraine has put UNESCO sites at risk. The conflict has damaged the historic center of Odesa and put the site of Chersonesus in Crimea under occupation.