Scientists predict that if climate crisis won’t be stopped or at least partially prevented, Venice's water level could rise by as much as 170 cm by 2100. This means that the city could be completely flooded.

Although city’s officials have taken steps to counter such situations after the massive flood in November 2019, which destroyed many monuments, Venice is still not sufficiently protected. For this reason, UNESCO would like to put it on the endangered heritage list.

There are already 55 sites on UNESCO's list of endangered World Heritage sites. These include the centre of Austria’s Vienna or Syria's Palmyra. Now Venice may join this group.

UNESCO is seriously concerned about how the climate crisis affects Venice. It is said that the city is at risk of irreversible damage resulting from both global warming and mass tourism.

According to experts, both factors contribute to the damage of historic building structures and urban areas. The city authorities, however, are not doing enough to counter these problems. For this reason, the UN has recommended that Venice be placed on the list of endangered sites.

"The effects of the continuing deterioration due to human intervention, including continuing development, the impacts of climate change and mass tourism threaten to cause irreversible changes to the outstanding universal value of the property," – reads UNESCO statement quoted by The Guardian.

Venice's problems are more serious than they may seem. In November 2019, the city was hit by a massive flood that heavily damaged, among other monuments, St Mark's Cathedral. And, as WP Turystyka reports, water flooded St Mark's Square in November 2022 which made it impossible for residents and tourists to move around the city without wellingtons.

Initiatives are slowly being introduced to prevent such calamities. In 2020, a special MOSE flood barrier system was finally set up in Venice. A ban on large cruise ships entering the St. Mark’s bay was also introduced. However, UNESCO believes that the changes undertaken by city officials are not sufficient. In response they declared that they are in talks with the Italian government to improve the situation.

In addition to Venice, UNESCO is considering including the Old Town in Lviv and the Sophia Cathedral in Kiev on the very same list. Recommendations are to be presented at the committee meeting at the end of September.

Source: Guardian, Euronews, Turystyka WP