A report by a group of experts to the European Commission is sounding the alarm: “The unprecedented speed and magnitude of climate change threatens cultural heritage,” said the document presented yesterday, which examined the impacts of climate change on cultural assets for the first time. The lack of detailed studies and data and appropriate countermeasures is regretted. There is an urgent need for action at all political levels, as well as in research and education.
“Climate change directly and indirectly threatens all forms of cultural heritage, be it a World Heritage Site or a small rural pilgrimage chapel, an old steel mill or a historic garden,” reads unequivocally in the report by experts from 25 EU Member States and 3 associated countries. prepared report. Threats are many, from the immediate aftermath of floods and storms, to increases and fluctuations in temperature and humidity, which create greater need for restoration and conservation of buildings and works of art, to increased fungal, algae and insect infestations.
“The cost of action is lower”
At the same time, almost everywhere there is a lack of awareness of how much prevailing climate change also threatens cultural heritage. Nine of the 28 countries do not have a legal framework for linking cultural heritage and climate change, only seven (Ireland, Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden) have plans to coordinate the two areas of work. There was a lack of financial and human resources.
However, the expert group strongly believes that the cost of action is lower than the cost of doing nothing. That is why we must act now and include cultural heritage in all policy considerations and funding programs.”
reduce the impact on cultural assets
At the same time, a conscious approach to cultural heritage offers sustainable solutions. Renovating old buildings is demonstrably more climate-friendly than demolishing them. In addition to raising awareness, the experts’ ten recommendations contain some suggestions to improve cooperation at all levels to reduce the impact on cultural assets, and to free up more funding for research and protective measures.
It also proposes the development of a European map to assess the risks of climate change to cultural heritage, to be drawn up by 2025 and regularly updated thereafter.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
