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African heritage sites threatened as sea-level rise accelerates

Environmental Studies and Forestry

African heritage sites threatened as sea-level rise accelerates

M. I. Vousdoukas, J. Clarke, et al.

This study reveals alarming projections for African heritage sites facing coastal flooding and erosion due to climate change. With 20% currently at risk from significant coastal events, this number could more than triple by 2050 under high emissions scenarios. Urgent adaptation strategies are vital to protect these invaluable sites. Conducted by a team of experts including Michalis I. Vousdoukas and Joanne Clarke, this research emphasizes the need for immediate action.... show more
Abstract
The African coast contains heritage sites of 'Outstanding Universal Value' that face increasing risk from anthropogenic climate change. Here, we generated a database of 213 natural and 71 cultural African heritage sites to assess exposure to coastal flooding and erosion under moderate (RCP 4.5) and high (RCP 8.5) greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Currently, 56 sites (20%) are at risk from a 1-in-100-year coastal extreme event, including the iconic ruins of Tipasa (Algeria) and the North Sinai Archaeological Sites Zone (Egypt). By 2050, the number of exposed sites is projected to more than triple, reaching almost 200 sites under high emissions. Emissions mitigation from RCP 8.5 to RCP 4.5 reduces the number of very highly exposed sites by 25%. These findings highlight the urgent need for increased climate change adaptation for heritage sites in Africa, including governance and management approaches, site-specific vulnerability assessments, exposure monitoring, and protection strategies.
Publisher
Nature Climate Change
Published On
Feb 10, 2022
Authors
Michalis I. Vousdoukas, Joanne Clarke, Roshanka Ranasinghe, Lena Reimann, Nadia Khalaf, Trang Minh Duong, Birgitt Ouweneel, Salma Sabour, Carley E. Iles, Christopher H. Trisos, Luc Feyen, Lorenzo Mentaschi, Nicholas P. Simpson
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01280-1
Tags
coastal flooding
erosion
heritage sites
climate change
adaptation strategies
greenhouse gas emissions
Africa

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