A NEW international network aimed at tackling the threat to cultural and heritage sites from climate change was launched in Edinburgh yesterday at an event hosted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES).
One of the most iconic locations in Scotland, the World Heritage Site at Skara Brae on Orkney, was named as a potential victim of climate change during the launch of the Climate Heritage Network, which was conceived at the Global Climate Action Summit hosted by the State of California in 2018.
The network will provide a platform for the sector to unite to tackle climate change, one of the most significant and fastest-growing threats to global cultural heritage.
Worldwide rising sea levels, soaring temperatures and increasing extreme weather events place cultural heritage on the frontline of climate change.
READ MORE: Scottish rural life leading way in climate change
HES stated: “Iconic historic places – from archaeological and prehistoric sites, such as Skara Brae in Orkney, to coastal cities like Venice, Italy and Saint-Louis, Senegal – are extremely vulnerable to these impacts, which also put cultural collections, such as archives, artworks and artefacts, at risk.
“Intangible heritage, such as languages and oral traditions, also face a fight for survival as climate change threatens to displace communities.
“As well as highlighting the severity of the climate change threat to historic sites worldwide, the Climate Heritage Network will also seek to inspire individuals, organisations and communities to take climate action.
“It will emphasise how cultural heritage offers immense and virtually untapped potential to drive climate action and support just and equitable transitions by communities towards low-carbon, climate resilient futures.”
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the network would take “effective, collective action” against climate change.
She added that there is a “significant role” for everyone to support the change necessary to prevent environmental issues.
READ MORE: Scottish Government told to spend big on low-carbon projects
She went on: “Scotland is well known throughout the world for its rich cultural heritage and we must protect our historic sites for future generations. I am proud to see Historic Environment Scotland leading the way and collaborating with partners across the globe.”
Julianne Polanco, director of the California Office of Historic Preservation and co-chair of the launch, said: “There are significant cultural heritage dimensions to every aspect of climate action covered by the Paris Agreement, including heightening ambition to address climate change, mitigating greenhouse gases, enhancing adaptive capacity, and planning for loss and damage.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here