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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece in The Guardian or enjoy below
🗞️ Driving the news: Facing threats from climate change, mass tourism, and other human actions, Venice is at risk of Unesco world heritage site blacklisting due to insufficient protection measures by Italy
• The UN's cultural agency warned of "irreversible" damage to this historic city
🔭 The context: Since its inclusion on the world heritage site list in 1987, Venice has twice faced the threat of blacklisting
🌎 Why does it matter for the planet: Preservation of historical and cultural sites like Venice plays a crucial role in maintaining global heritage
• The deteriorating conditions in Venice are not only a loss to Italy but to the world's shared cultural history
• This situation highlights the urgent need to address climate change and promote responsible tourism practices.
⏭️ What's next: Despite some measures taken by Italy, such as banning cruise ships weighing more than 25,000 tonnes from docking in the lagoon, Unesco still deems the efforts "insufficient" and needing further development
• Unesco's recommendation will be put up for adoption at the world heritage committee meeting in Riyadh in late September
💬 One quote: “The effects of the continuing deterioration due to human intervention, including continuing development, the impacts of climate change and mass tourism threaten to cause irreversible changes to the outstanding universal value of the property." (Unesco statement)
📈 One stat: The population in Venice's historic center dipped below 50,000 last summer, underlining the significant social and cultural changes taking place in the city due to external pressures.
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