UNESCO’s Post

I am very happy to hear that the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has announced the addition of 24 new sites to its list 🏛️ 📜. Among these are two remarkable #geodiversity treasures 🌍, recognized for being outstanding examples representing major stages of Earth's history (under Criterion viii): ➡️ Lençóis Maranhenses (Brazil) - white dunes and colorful lagoons that not only create a stunning landscape but also feature the largest stable and shifting dune area in South America, reflecting the evolution of coastal dunes over time. ➡️ Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes (China) - a site known for its unique desert features, including the world's tallest stabilized sand dune, numerous lakes between dunes, and "singing sands" (that make sounds when the wind moves them), along with distinctive wind-shaped landforms. Additionally, other sites, influenced by geodiversity, have been inscribed under various criteria: 🔹Vjetrenica Cave (Ravno, Bosnia and Herzegovina) – a well-conserved example of karst topography (with high level of cave biodiversity and endemism) 🔹Melka Kunture and Balchit: Archaeological and Palaeontological Sites in the Highland Area of Ethiopia (Ethiopia) – a site that includes fossilized footprints, providing evidence of hominin occupation dating back two million years. 🔹Sado Island Gold Mines (Japan) - historic gold and silver mines that reflect not only the mining operations but also the social and labor organization of the time These are great news! And the new inscriptions underline our collective responsibility to protect these treasures so future generations can continue to improve the understanding of Earth’s history and its diverse processes, and be inspired by our planet’s #naturalheritage. Sadly, the List of World Heritage in Danger has also grown.. 📷 © Badain Jaran Nature Reserve #unescoworldheritage #worldheritage #whs #unesco #geoheritage #geoconservation

No new Geoparks announced in Japan but good to see more areas around the world afforded increased protection. I'm an advocate for protection through UNESCO designations such as the Global Geopark system and organisations including the IUCN, opposed to the higher profile UNESCO World Heritage list - a status I believe is often sought for motivations that do not necessarily align with the best interest of the site or local communities and when awarded, regularly results in over-tourism risking the very thing it is meant to be protecting. Lower profile yet binding international and national protection mechanisms are, in many cases, the best way to protect important landscapes such as these. #unesco #globalgeopark #geopark #natureconservation #heritageconservation

Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, Russia, is the deepest lake in the world with a maximum depth of 1,642 meters (5,387 feet). It holds an astounding volume of 23,615 cubic kilometers (5,670 cubic miles) of water, accounting for approximately 20% of the world's unfrozen freshwater reserve, more than all the Great Lakes of North America combined. This ancient lake, over 25 million years old, lies in a rift valley formed by the Baikal Rift Zone, where tectonic activity continually pulls the Earth's crust apart. The unique geological features of Lake Baikal contribute to its significant depth and biodiversity, making it a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

marine archeology on land and ocean in Pakistan

CORAL REEF NEWS: Beyond the Barrier Reef - Australia’s 3 other World Heritage reefs are also in trouble The Great Barrier Reef is world famous – it’s the largest coral reef system in the world and home to tens of thousands of species. No wonder it is World Heritage listed. But Australia has three lower profile reefs which are also World Heritage listed – Ningaloo and Shark Bay in Western Australia, and Lord Howe Island, 600 kilometres off the New South Wales coast, the southernmost coral in the world. Ningaloo has 260km of coral reef, while the reefs of Shark Bay have less coral but are home to ancient stromatolites, vast seagrass beds and iconic species such as dugongs. Read full story here: https://lnkd.in/e4nGtgQp #coralreefs #greatbarrierreef #australia #coralnews #ningaloo #sharkbay #lordhoweisland #coralreefecology #marineecology #marinebiology

Learn 10 interesting facts about Comoros, from its volcanic origins and rich biodiversity to its vanilla production and diverse cultural influences. Explore Comoros' unique attractions and heritage.

Embark on a #Geopark getaway and discover the sights of the Uberaba UNESCO Global Geopark, nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of southeast Brazil. From ancient basalt flows to vast freshwater reserves, Uberaba is a treasure trove of geological marvels. Uncover the secrets of the prehistoric giants that once roamed these lands, and marvel at the innovative spirit of the local farmers who introduced the Zebu cattle breed. Join us in exploring the rich cultural narrative that underpins the identity of this UNESCO Geopark, where history, #nature, and innovation converge in perfect harmony: https://lnkd.in/epkHhYGc

ALONG THE RIVERS OF KURDISTAN If we look at the individual drop of water as both a hydrological and at the same time a socio-cultural medium - this is how rivers are an interaction of the individual drops - the carriers of life along our earth's crust. They flow through the landscape with the earth's gravity, move through territories, brush against forests and interact with living beings like us humans. They are lifelines of the otherwise barren landscapes and meander between mountain ranges or through landscapes that have already become desert and dried out, as in Kurdistan. Rivers like Firat/ Euphrates , Xabûr , Munzur, Dîcle /Tigris, Murat ,... form routes in the Anthropocene for those questioning this geography. This project emerged from the collaboration between me and the Spore Initiative in the context of the exhibition Wasserspiegel - Water Bodies. For more: https://lnkd.in/eUZV_cTh

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗮 Nestled within the vast and rugged landscapes of Namibia's Kunene Region, the Petrified Forest stands as a silent testament to the ancient forces that have shaped this arid terrain. Dating back to the Permian period, a staggering 280 million years ago, this geological wonder unveils a narrative of time and transformation etched into the very fabric of the Earth. At its core, the Petrified Forest is a gallery of fossilised tree trunks, each a relic from a prehistoric ecosystem that once thrived in what is now a seemingly inhospitable environment. Studies have found that these trunks belong to the Cordiates tree family. This kind of tree used to grow in the region now known as Europe and belongs to the group known as firs and spruces. Through the gradual process of mineralisation, these ancient giants have been turned to stone, preserving a snapshot of a time long before human existence. Discovered by explorers in the 1940s, the Petrified Forest invites contemplation on the aeons of geological activity that have sculpted Namibia's distinctive topography. The site not only showcases the endurance of these stone sentinels but also prompts reflection on the dynamic nature of landscapes and the ever-evolving story of our planet. As you immerse yourself in the Petrified Forest, consider the myriad questions it poses. What lush ecosystems thrived here millions of years ago? What cataclysmic events led to the petrification of these ancient trees? What unseen forces continue to shape the geological tapestry beneath our feet? This isn't merely a destination; it's an open geological history book, inviting you to explore the mysteries of our planet's past with genuine curiosity and wonder. #PetrifiedForest #NamibianHiddenGem #GeologicalHistory #Namibia

Lake Titicaca Lake Titicaca is the largest freshwater lake in South America in the Andes mountains on the border of Bolivia and Peru. It is the highest navigable lake in the world with a surface elevation of 3,812 m. It is home to more than 530 aquatic species! Underwater excavations have recovered thousands of artifacts which were offerings that had dropped into the lake as Lake Titicaca was a mythical place and the location of a pilgrimage complex for the Incas. Τhe inhabitants of the Andes still believe that the first Incas emerged from the waters of this lake and the Island of the Sun, one of the largest islands of the lake, is still a sacred place. According to local myths, there is an ancient city hidden at the bottom of lake Titicaca. #lakeTiticaca #incas #mythology