Friday, April 13, 2007

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger of Global Warming


Australia's Great Barrier Reef (Photo © Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority)
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the World Heritage Sites threatened by climate change according to a recently released Unesco report, "Case Studies on Climate Change and World Heritage."
The report is intended to raise awareness and mobilize support for preservation of the 830 natural and cultural sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It follows the second of three global assessments by the UN's Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, released on Friday.
Within the five chapter report, lead author Augustin Colette, climate change consultant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, addresses the impact of global warming on glaciers, marine biodiversity, terrestrial biodiversity, archaeological sites, and historic cities and settlements.
Source