Impact and Potential Loss of World Heritage Sites from Climate Change

Keywords: Culture loss, History, Climate Change, Coastal Erosion, Sea Level Rise,
Abstract Type: Poster Abstract

Abstract

Climate change affects a wide variety of groups and categories. Whether it be marginalized groups of people or low-lying island states, these topics are generally the more focused on, and often left in the dark is the ancient culture loss and culture loss in general from climate change. The uncertainty of our futures with the looming climate crisis has left us neglecting our histories, often leaving them out of thought when thinking about our changing world. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this ever-growing problem; as climates vary worldwide, the solution must also vary. Similarly, many factors contribute to these eventual losses, including coastal erosion and climate-related hazards. In recent years, there have been few studies on how changing climates affect historic sites (ex., Stonehenge), and others looking towards the loss of ancient Neanderthal Cave Paintings in Gibraltar. It is often difficult to consider the past as the key to the future. Regardless, some of these historical sites could provide valuable insights into combating climate change, particularly when looking at the low-lying island states at high risk for coastal erosion and sea level rise. However, there are also significant drawbacks, as some sites of ancient cultures may have been destroyed before we ever got to investigate. Many anthropologists and geographers are working to find these sites before the unknown is completely lost. Similarly, this topic itself is relatively under-studied, as there is not a lot of available literature or information on this topic.