Importance Score: 85 / 100 🟢
Historic European City of Rome Faces Climate Change Threat
Rome, the magnificent European city celebrated for its unparalleled historic architecture and deep roots in Roman history, is facing an existential threat, with experts cautioning it may “disappear soon” due to escalating climate change. A study by analysts at Prime Casino has identified iconic cities most vulnerable to the intensifying environmental threats, placing the Italian capital at the top of the list.
Analysis Highlights Rome’s Vulnerability
The research meticulously examined data related to each city’s antiquity and density of cultural landmarks, including museums, art galleries, religious sites, architectural marvels, and significant landmarks. Rome, a city boasting approximately 4.3 million residents and attracting around 35 million tourists in 2023, emerged as the oldest city at risk from climate change at 2,778 years. The analysis assigned Rome a ‘Disappearing City’ score of 8.68 out of 10, highlighting its precarious situation.
The analysts explained their methodology: “Starting with a selection of cities deemed at risk based on sources like Timeout and Metro, we assessed each city based on various factors. Each factor was then normalized to a score out of ten, and the final overall score out of ten was calculated by averaging these individual scores.”
Rome’s Rich Heritage at Risk
Sacred and Historic Sites
The study emphasized Rome’s concentration of significant sites: “As the home of the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple, the city ranks among the top five for its proportion of sacred and religious sites, with 18 per 100,000 residents.”
Further elaborating on Rome’s historical importance, the experts added, “Rome also ranks highly for its density of historic sites, with 12 per 100,000, encompassing world-renowned architectural structures like the Colosseum (9 per 100,000).”
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Impact of Rising Temperatures
However, the analysis warns that climate change poses a severe danger to the ‘City of Seven Hills’. Experts predict that escalating heatwaves could render Rome uninhabitable within 25 years.
Established in 753 BCE, the Italian capital, a treasure trove of ancient temples and exceptional Renaissance architecture, is increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change.
Italy’s Climate Crisis and Its Consequences
Data from the International Energy Agency indicates a concerning trend: average annual temperatures in Italy have increased by 1°C in the past century, with the rate of warming accelerating in recent decades.
A report by the Climate Reality Project, a non-profit organization, underscores Italy’s frontline position in experiencing extreme weather events and other consequences of the climate crisis. This crisis is creating a ripple effect across the nation, impacting public health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Increased Wildfire Risk
The report further states: “Elevated temperatures and prolonged dry conditions are creating ideal conditions for wildfires, leading to property damage, ecosystem destruction, and diminished air quality.”
Tragically, in 2023, at least four fatalities occurred across southern Italy and Sicily as numerous wildfires raged throughout the Mediterranean region, a distressing pattern becoming an annual occurrence.
Dire Future Projections
The outlook for extreme heat in Italy appears increasingly bleak unless swift and decisive action is taken to drastically reduce emissions. Should high emission levels persist globally, projections indicate that average annual temperatures in Italy could surge by as much as 2.4°C by 2050. This alarming rise would intensify the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as the heatwaves and wildfires already plaguing the country.