UNESCO Recommends Adding Venice to Its Heritage Endangered List

UNESCO officially has plans to recommend Venice to be added to the United Nation’s list of endangered heritage sites. The Italian city is said to be at risk of “irreversible” damage due to the climate criss and overwhelming tourism.

In a report from UNESCO, the agency reports that in order to better preserve the city for the future, it proposes in an official document released earlier this week that Venice be on the list due to the city and the nation’s inability to make enough progress to prevent any damage. In order to combat the rising sea levels from climate change and mass tourism, Italy has already placed measures to ban cruise ships from its lagoon and build sea walls to keep out high tides in Venice. Unfortunately, these measures are simply not enough. UNESCO acknowledges that plans are underway to improve the issues of the lagoon’s ecosystem, but the damage is too severe. The agency claims that Italy has not responded to its invitation to collaboration on corrective measures.

In a statement from Renato Brunetta, who is a former government minister now leading a foundation aiming to make Venice the world’s capital of sustainability, he told the New York Times, “Venice has been a more fragile city than the others.” UNESCO’s recommendation is not yet final and will require a vote next month at the World Heritage Committee, which is made up of 21 member states including Italy. The UNESCO endangered list features 55 sites at the moment.

In case you missed it, The Exorcist: Believer joins Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights 2023 lineup.