Rising sea levels and extreme weather events, exacerbated by human activities, have posed a risk to Venice’s century-old canals and Renaissance-era buildings, warns UNESCO

Human-induced climate change has put Venice’s heritage and cultural sites under threat. The iconic Italian destination faces flooding and erosion and may soon end up on the endangered list.

Rising sea levels and extreme weather events, exacerbated by human activities, have posed a risk to the city’s century-old canals and Renaissance-era buildings, warns UNESCO.

Italy has put temporary barriers to prevent water from entering, but UNESCO contends the efforts are insufficient in safeguarding the city’s cultural sites. 

The UN agency will discuss this month whether to add Venice to the endangered world heritage sites.