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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A study warns that climate change, specifically ocean acidification, is threatening Europe’s underwater cultural heritage, including ancient sites like the Baia Archaeological Park in Italy
• Ocean acidification accelerates the deterioration of materials like marble and limestone, which are commonly found in submerged archaeological sites
• Researchers highlight the urgency of protecting these treasures as degradation rates may become irreversible in the coming decades

🔭 The context: Ocean acidification occurs as CO2 emissions dissolve in seawater, lowering the pH and altering marine environments
• The study, coordinated by the University of Padua, tested underwater sites exposed to natural CO2 vents off Ischia Island, offering real-world insight into future conditions
• These findings come as part of a broader examination of how climate change affects not just marine ecosystems but also historical and cultural assets

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The loss of underwater cultural heritage means a permanent loss of historical, artistic, and archaeological knowledge
• Preserving these sites is crucial not only for heritage conservation but also for future climate adaptation strategies as historical records offer valuable insights into resilience

⏭️ What’s next: The study stresses the need for stronger conservation and adaptation policies to safeguard underwater heritage from climate change
• Scientists call for urgent action, as the degradation of submerged sites could have far-reaching impacts on European heritage and tourism industries

💬 One quote: "Even seemingly minor surface degradation can mean irreversible loss of information," -  lead researcher Luigi Germinario

📈 One stat: The study found that stone artefacts rich in calcium carbonate, like marble and limestone, are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification, with deterioration accelerating in acidic conditions

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