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What happened
UNESCO's inaugural global biodiversity and climate assessment has found that 98% of its over 2,200 sites have encountered climate-related extremes since 2000. This alarming trend is expected to worsen, with a projected 1°C rise in global temperatures by 2050 potentially tripling the exposure of these sites to climate impacts. Approximately 20% of these sites overlap with Indigenous lands, placing these communities at heightened risk from wildfires, droughts, and biodiversity loss. The assessment highlights significant examples of climate impacts, including wildfires in Brazil and Australia and retreating glaciers in various countries. To address these challenges, UNESCO has introduced the Sites Navigator, a live monitoring platform designed to provide real-time data and alerts to support policymakers and Indigenous communities in planning for resilience and conservation.
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Key insights
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1
Widespread climate extremes
98% of UNESCO sites have faced climate-related extremes since 2000.
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2
Indigenous communities at risk
20% of UNESCO sites overlap with Indigenous lands, increasing vulnerability.
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3
New monitoring tool launched
UNESCO introduced the Sites Navigator for real-time climate and biodiversity data.
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4
Biodiversity loss projected
Current land-use practices could lead to widespread biodiversity decline by 2050.
Takeaways
The UNESCO assessment underscores the urgent need for action to protect vulnerable sites and Indigenous communities from escalating climate impacts, emphasizing the importance of tools like the Sites Navigator for informed decision-making.