Climate change has become the biggest threat to UN-listed natural world heritage sites like glaciers and wetlands, and has pushed Australia's Great Barrier Reef into "critical" condition, conservationists said Wednesday.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed in a new report that shifts due to the changing climate now imperil a full third of the 252 UNESCO-listed natural sites around the globe.
Overall, 94 of the sites are facing significant or critical risk from a wide range of factors -- including tourism, hunting, fire and water pollution -- marking an increase from the 62 listed in the previous study published in 2017.
The study also hinted that the Covid-19 pandemic was taking a toll on some of the world's most beautiful and precious natural places.
However, climate change is by far the biggest single threat.
It constitutes a high or very high risk factor at 83 of the sites, and has thus overtaken invasive and non-native species, which topped the threat list three years ago.
The report "reveals the damage climate change is wreaking on natural World Heritage, from shrinking glaciers to coral bleaching to increasingly frequent and severe fires and droughts," IUCN director-general Bruno Oberle said in a statement.
"This report signals the urgency with which we must tackle environmental challenges together at the planetary scale."
The coronavirus crisis had showed the need for the global community to "stand together and work as one for the common good," the IUCN report said.
- Covid impact -
Since its assessment had begun before the novel coronavirus first surfaced late last year, IUCN said it had systematically recorded how the crisis was affecting the World Heritage sites.
But the report said it was becoming clear that the pandemic and associated restrictions were impacting or had the potential to impact more than 50 of the sites.
Some of the effects were positive, "most notably a decrease in pressure from tourism visitation on natural ecosystems," it said, warning though that "negative factors are numerous."
It pointed to how the closing of sites to tourism were causing a significant loss of revenues and livelihoods, as well as how limits on in-person staffing had led to reduced control over illegal activities.
"These factors are increasing the risk of wildlife poaching and illegal use of natural resources, with incidents recorded in some sites since the pandemic," the report said.
Overall, the study found that 30 percent of the sites faced "significant" threats, and seven percent are considered "critical", meaning they "require urgent, additional and large-scale conservation measures" to be saved.
Alarmingly, two new sites have been moved up into the critical category since 2017, including the world's largest coral reef.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef has seen dramatic coral decline amid ocean warming, acidification and extreme weather, which in turn has resulted in shrinking populations of marine species, the report found.
Protected areas in Mexico's Gulf of California are also among the sites now deemed in critical condition, joining the likes of the Everglades National Park in the United States and Lake Turkana in Kenya, which already figured on the list.
The IUCN report said climate change had also exacerbated the spread of invasive species in a number of areas, including South Africa's Cape Flora Region Protected Areas.
Brazil's Pantanal Conservation Area was meanwhile badly damaged by unprecedented wildfires in 2019 and 2020.
Meanwhile, the rapidly-melting Kaskawulsh Glacier had altered the river course, depleting fish populations in the Kluane site in Canada and the United States.
The IUCN report found that eight sites had improved since 2017, but double as many have deteriorated in that time.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Dec 03 2020
![Climate change biggest threat to natural World Heritage sites Climate change biggest threat to natural World Heritage sites](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/71606985619_CLIMATE.jpg)
Australia's Great Barrier Reef has seen dramatic coral decline amid ocean warming, acidification and extreme weather, which in turn has resulted in shrinking populations of marine species, says a report. AFPRelaxpic
![Syarikat telco janji tiada kos tambahan kepada pelanggan bagi rangkaian 5G kedua - Fahmi Syarikat telco janji tiada kos tambahan kepada pelanggan bagi rangkaian 5G kedua - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51718875254_tbFahmiFadzil.jpg)
Syarikat telco janji tiada kos tambahan kepada pelanggan bagi rangkaian 5G kedua - Fahmi
Fahmi berkata kerajaan komited sepenuhnya untuk memastikan model dwirangkaian itu menggalakkan persaingan sihat dalam sektor telekomunikasi.
![LKAN: Liputan bekalan air terawat di Kelantan paling rendah LKAN: Liputan bekalan air terawat di Kelantan paling rendah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720085120_AIRKELANTAN.jpg)
LKAN: Liputan bekalan air terawat di Kelantan paling rendah
Negeri Kelantan mendapat liputan bekalan air terawat paling rendah pada tahap 73.9 peratus, menurut Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2 2024.
![LKAN: Perolehan, penyelenggaraan kapal TLDM tidak dilaksanakan ikut jadual LKAN: Perolehan, penyelenggaraan kapal TLDM tidak dilaksanakan ikut jadual](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720084504_TLDMKDSriIndera.jpg)
LKAN: Perolehan, penyelenggaraan kapal TLDM tidak dilaksanakan ikut jadual
TLDM didapati gagal melaksanakan perolehan kapal baharu mengikut perancangan dan menyelenggara kapal sedia ada mengikut jadual.
![Kempen derma untuk suami arwah Ustazah Zaleha cedera dalam kemalangan di Singapura Kempen derma untuk suami arwah Ustazah Zaleha cedera dalam kemalangan di Singapura](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720083262_kempenderma.jpg)
Kempen derma untuk suami arwah Ustazah Zaleha cedera dalam kemalangan di Singapura
Zaleha Maksum, 74, yang mengajar al-Quran Braille setiap Sabtu di sebuah pusat Islam di republik itu, meninggal dunia dalam insiden itu.
![PRK Sg Bakap: Polis terima empat laporan berhubung salah laku kempen PRK Sg Bakap: Polis terima empat laporan berhubung salah laku kempen](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/51719314089_SaifuddinNasution.jpg)
PRK Sg Bakap: Polis terima empat laporan berhubung salah laku kempen
Buat masa ini, keseluruhan perjalanan kempen yang terkait dengan isu keselamatan adalah terkawal.
![Thailand catat 17.5 juta ketibaan pelancong asing pada separuh pertama 2024 Thailand catat 17.5 juta ketibaan pelancong asing pada separuh pertama 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714172630_globalheatwave.jpg)
Thailand catat 17.5 juta ketibaan pelancong asing pada separuh pertama 2024
Pelancong China menduduki senarai teratas dengan 3.43 juta, diikuti Malaysia (2.43 juta) dan India (1.04 juta) dalam tempoh sama.
![Dakwaan proses plastik terpakai jadi pelet ikan hanyalah kekeliruan Dakwaan proses plastik terpakai jadi pelet ikan hanyalah kekeliruan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81720083020_NikNazmiOperasi.jpg)
Dakwaan proses plastik terpakai jadi pelet ikan hanyalah kekeliruan
Jabatan Perikanan Malaysia (DOF) menyangkal dakwaan penggunaan pelet plastik dijadikan sebagai makanan ikan sehingga menimbulkan kebimbangan dalam kalangan penternak akuakultur.
![LKAN: PETRA pandang serius teguran terhadap pengurusan air negara - Fadillah LKAN: PETRA pandang serius teguran terhadap pengurusan air negara - Fadillah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61717921134_FadillahYusof.jpg)
LKAN: PETRA pandang serius teguran terhadap pengurusan air negara - Fadillah
PETRA mempunyai pasukan untuk melihat segala laporan termasuk LKAN berhubung kait dengan Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS).
![PRK Sungai Bakap: Polis jamin siasat kes gangguan seksual terhadap wartawan - Saifuddin PRK Sungai Bakap: Polis jamin siasat kes gangguan seksual terhadap wartawan - Saifuddin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720081108_TBSAIFUDDINjpg.jpg)
PRK Sungai Bakap: Polis jamin siasat kes gangguan seksual terhadap wartawan - Saifuddin
Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail berkata, siasatan akan dijalankan secara profesional mengikut lunas undang- undang sedia ada.
![LKAN: Alat ganti kapal TLDM bernilai RM384.49 juta tidak diguna LKAN: Alat ganti kapal TLDM bernilai RM384.49 juta tidak diguna](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720081532_OSTEXWestper.jpg)
LKAN: Alat ganti kapal TLDM bernilai RM384.49 juta tidak diguna
LKAN siri 2/2024 mengenal pasti terdapat alat ganti bagi urusan penyenggaraan kapal bernilai RM384.49 juta yang tidak digunakan dan boleh mengakibatkan berlakunya pembaziran.
![Budaya sarapan Malaysia: Nasi lemak, roti canai, teh tarik dihidang di Pejabat PBB Budaya sarapan Malaysia: Nasi lemak, roti canai, teh tarik dihidang di Pejabat PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/61718928781_MalaysianBreakfast.jpg)
Budaya sarapan Malaysia: Nasi lemak, roti canai, teh tarik dihidang di Pejabat PBB
Ini kali pertama Malaysia mempamerkan warisan masakannya dengan menampilkan hidangan sarapan ikonik di Palais des Nations.
![Malaysia-China meterai perjanjian pencalonan bersama tarian singa dalam UNESCO ICH Malaysia-China meterai perjanjian pencalonan bersama tarian singa dalam UNESCO ICH](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-01/81674286642_TBTARIANSINGA.jpg)
Malaysia-China meterai perjanjian pencalonan bersama tarian singa dalam UNESCO ICH
MOTAC berkata pemeteraian MoU itu akan mengukuhkan kerjasama antara Malaysia dan China dalam penggalakan dan pemasaran pelancongan.
![Usaha mengiktiraf boria sebagai warisan dunia UNESCO Usaha mengiktiraf boria sebagai warisan dunia UNESCO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51713263983_JibranKhalil.jpg)
Usaha mengiktiraf boria sebagai warisan dunia UNESCO
Akademi Boria sedang berusaha memperjuangkan supaya boria disenaraikan sebagai Warisan Dunia UNESCO agar ia dapat dipertahankan seterusnya menjadi satu warisan yang tidak hilang ditelan zaman.
![Sultan Perak berkenan isytihar pemasyhuran Lenggong Geopark dan perasmian Galeri Lenggong Geopark Sultan Perak berkenan isytihar pemasyhuran Lenggong Geopark dan perasmian Galeri Lenggong Geopark](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/81709961222_tbLenggongGeopark.jpg)
Sultan Perak berkenan isytihar pemasyhuran Lenggong Geopark dan perasmian Galeri Lenggong Geopark
Sultan Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah berkenan berangkat ke majlis pemasyhuran Lenggong Geopark dan perasmian Galeri Lenggong Geopark.
![Selangor belum cadang warta mana-mana kampung tradisi sebagai tapak warisan - Exco Selangor belum cadang warta mana-mana kampung tradisi sebagai tapak warisan - Exco](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-03/51678782688_DatukRizamIsmail.jpg)
Selangor belum cadang warta mana-mana kampung tradisi sebagai tapak warisan - Exco
Kerajaan Selangor tidak bercadang mewartakan mana-mana kampung tradisi di negeri itu sebagai tapak warisan dan mendapatkan pengiktirafan UNESCO buat ketika ini.
![Kampung Baru Cina: Kor Ming ajak UMNO bincang Kampung Baru Cina: Kor Ming ajak UMNO bincang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-02/71707632143_NgaKorMing.jpg)
Kampung Baru Cina: Kor Ming ajak UMNO bincang
Menurut beliau, pertemuan itu bagi menjelaskan fakta sebenar berhubung cadangannya itu.
![Kampung Baru Cina: UMNO tolak cadangan Nga Kor Ming Kampung Baru Cina: UMNO tolak cadangan Nga Kor Ming](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/71691913458_TBAsyrafWajdi.jpg)
Kampung Baru Cina: UMNO tolak cadangan Nga Kor Ming
Tegas Asyraf Wajdi, ia bertentangan dengan Perlembagaan Persekutuan yang mengiktiraf hanya bumiputera sebagai penduduk asal dengan hak keistimewaan tertentu.
![Kemboja: Tambak di bahagian barat Angkor Wat dilancar Kemboja: Tambak di bahagian barat Angkor Wat dilancar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/51621860778_950x600.jpg)
Kemboja: Tambak di bahagian barat Angkor Wat dilancar
Pemuliharaan dan pengukuhan tambak dengan mengekalkan bentuk asalnya telah meningkatkan nilai kuil Angkor Wat.
![Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/51694756318_Gondoliers.jpg)
Venice tidak disenarai sebagai tapak warisan terancam - UNESCO
Keputusan itu dibuat oleh sebuah jawatankuasa UNESCO yang sedang bermesyuarat di Riyadh, Arab Saudi.
![Pulau Pinang kekal komited pelihara tapak warisan - KM Pulau Pinang kekal komited pelihara tapak warisan - KM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-07/81688729154_ChowKonYeow.jpg)
Pulau Pinang kekal komited pelihara tapak warisan - KM
Kerajaan Pulau Pinang kekal komited memelihara tapak warisan dalam negeri kerana ia amat penting bagi generasi akan datang.