Colonialism distorts quest to save heritage threatened by climate change, researchers say
An example of earthen architecture in Mali – a tradition that may be threatened by climate change. Photo: Joseph Stover
Climate change may destroy the precious heritage and traditions of marginalized countries – but empowering local people is the key to adaptation.
These are the conclusions of a paper published today natural climate change. The authors include researchers from the Universities of East Anglia, Cape Town and Columbia, among others.
“Preservation of heritage is a core human right, namely the right to cultural self-determination and autonomy,” said the co-authors Ben Oloff, an anthropologist at the Columbia Climate Institute. “We know that sea level rise is causing flooding in Venice, a historic gem in Europe; it’s also affecting the Caribbean and the Pacific and other less-studied coastal regions in Africa and Asia.”
A map of the global distribution of UNESCO World Heritage sites for each country shows that conservation is concentrated in the Eurasian countries. Image: Simpson & Clark et al/Nature Climate Change 2022
Heritage at risk
Traditional ways of life in the Amazon and Pacific islands, ancient Roman coastal cities (such as Tipasa in Algeria), iconic earthen buildings in Mali – including Masonic skills handed down from generation to generation – are all at risk of loss and destruction . Climate change, as heritage research and funding have historically not been prioritized in these areas.
“Climate change poses a threat to global heritage,” said lead researcher Joanne Clark of the University of East Anglia. “But it is particularly acute in low- and middle-income countries, where vulnerability to climate change is generally high, with climate hazards such as sea-level rise, floods and wildfires.” She added that these changes are leading to concerns about protecting other forms of heritage Loss of vital local and indigenous knowledge.
Heritage includes inherited traditions, monuments, objects, places and cultures, as well as contemporary activities, knowledge, meanings and behaviors drawn from them, the authors say.
Whose estate is saved?
Climate change is an increasing focus of heritage research in Europe and North America, including identifying site-specific adaptation options for heritage conservation.
In contrast, climate change research in low- and middle-income countries is constrained by systemic disparities in funding access and its associated knowledge generation that help strengthen historical colonial structures deeply rooted in heritage management.
Number of English-language papers on cultural heritage by geographic region and first author source. The graph shows that most climate change heritage research is written about Europe by Europeans. Image: Simpson & Clark et al/Nature Climate Change 2022
climate adaptation Many vulnerable low- and middle-income countries rely heavily on international aid organizations, often based in high-income countries, for funding. The authors note that this inevitably leads to an unequal balance of the types of heritage designated for research or development, favouring heritage valued by people living in high-income countries, and often excluding pre-colonial heritage.
For example, belief systems or other forms of intangible heritage have historically not been as valuable to Western researchers and funders as places or things like temples or statues.
Nicholas Simpson of the University of Cape Town said: “Eurocentrism, dispossession, racism and persistent power imbalances perpetuate narrow perspectives, reflecting colonial legacy that continues to shape global climate research questions, funding and output priorities,” he also led the study. “We need to commit to actively dismantling these systems and mindsets through shifts in agenda setting, funding, training, data access and governance.”
Decolonization Heritage Studies
The researchers say locally-led research and more equitable research funding are needed to address the real potential loss and damage to heritage from climate change.
They recommend that the research agenda and funding, and the policy agenda associated with it, should not be centered on high-income countries. Research and practice priorities should be informed by indigenous and local communities and should integrate their values, preferences and judgments with climate change risk and vulnerability assessments.
These and other measures will help make heritage research more inclusive, equitable and diverse, while addressing systemic inequalities and biases and strengthening global adaptation to climate change, the researchers said.
The ancient site of Tipasa in Algeria is threatened by rising sea levels. Photo: Fayek Arnatur
Overcoming the blind spots associated with colonial research heritage will not only help preserve important cultural sites and traditions in low- and middle-income countries, but may also benefit high-income countries, the paper says.
“Heritage provides a solution to climate change,” Orlove said. He gave an example of indigenous Philippine stone-terracing technology that is becoming more common to prevent landslides, which will be exacerbated as climate change leads to more frequent and intense typhoons.
“Historic sites provide evidence of early societies’ responses to climate impacts and can serve as models for adaptation,” Orlove said.
Adapted from press release University of East Anglia
