The world’s most treasured historical landmarks—from China’s Great Wall to Jordan’s ancient city of Petra—face an unprecedented threat from climate change, according to a groundbreaking global assessment. The study reveals that a staggering 80% of UNESCO World Heritage sites are already experiencing climate stress, with nearly one in five constructed from vulnerable materials like stone and wood.

Using advanced 3D modeling technology, researchers mapped the exposed surfaces of heritage buildings to create a comprehensive “climate stress index.” They analyzed three time periods—past (1961-91), present (2010-40), and future (2070-2100)—to understand how escalating climate impacts are affecting these irreplaceable cultural treasures. Sites across the globe, including India’s Ellora Caves and Turkey’s traditional Ottoman Houses, face increasing damage from extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and changing precipitation patterns.

The study offers both hope and sobering reality. If the world commits to aggressive emissions reductions and limits global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, approximately 40% of currently threatened sites could be protected. However, current emission trajectories point toward 2.5-3°C of warming by 2100, which would leave far fewer sites safe from climate damage.

This research underscores the urgent connection between environmental protection and cultural preservation. These heritage sites, which attract millions of tourists annually and represent thousands of years of human civilization, cannot be replaced once lost. The findings highlight that climate action isn’t just about protecting ecosystems—it’s about safeguarding the physical legacy of human history for future generations.