The Ocean’s Cultural legacy
March 13, 2024

Climate Change and
World Heritage

The Bijagos Archipelago in Guinea Bissau

The Bijagos Archipelago in Guinea Bissau seen by the Sentinel 2 satellite on April 9, 2021. The Bijagos Archipelago, made up of eighty-eight islands and islets, located in the Atlantic Ocean, is the second most important site for migratory birds in West Africa after the Banc d'Arguin in Mauritania and a UNESCO Biosphere reserve since 1996.

© Sentinel-2, Copernicus

HERITAGE

World Heritage sites serve as climate change observatories that gather and share information to help monitor environments, mitigate the effects of climate change, and adapt practices. Earth Observation contributes to tangible and natural cultural heritage preservation and management.

A UNESCO world heritage site, Venice and its laguna are threatened by rising sea levels. Information provided by the ASI's COSMO-SkyMed satellite constellation offers valuable data which helps protect the city and its islands.

© PRISMA Product | ASI - Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (2021)

Giulia Galluccio

Director of the Information Systems for Climate Science

Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici - CMCC

"In the Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site since 1997, we help park managers to develop adaptation measures which align with positive transition pathways, to the benefit of tourism, the Park, and marine ecosystems..."
Patrizia Sacco

Prisma Mission Manager

Agenzia spaziale italiana - ASI

The Prisma satellite has been designed for a variety of applications, including environmental monitoring and aquatic ecosystems. ASI Prisma Hyperspectral data has been used to assess water quality in Venice’s lagoon. The lagoon is the largest in the Mediterranean and subject to rapid environmental changes that require deep analysis. The data provides visibility on the levels of phytoplankton, suspended matter, and water turbidity.
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