The future of Delos, a significant cultural heritage site, is threatened by climate change, according to a study examining its impact on 244 UNESCO sites in the Mediterranean. Delos was ranked 4th in vulnerability due to environmental factors, prompting a scientific program to assess the state of its monuments. Led by Christos Zerefos from the Research Center for Atmospheric Physics and Climatology of the Academy of Athens, the program aims to perform detailed examinations using various measurements, including air, soil, and seawater analysis, as well as satellite data. The island’s exposure to winds, sea changes, and pollutant transport between Africa and Europe exacerbates its vulnerability. Furthermore, Delos suffers from severe coastal erosion, allowing seawater to intrude into its aquifer, threatening ancient structures. Rising sea levels and changes in seawater chemistry, such as pH, also pose risks. Extreme weather conditions, including intense solar radiation, drought, and high temperatures, further damage the monuments. To address these issues, a network of eight southern European countries, including Croatia, Cyprus, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain, has been formed to conduct similar research on other heritage sites. This initiative underscores the critical need to preserve ancient monuments from the accelerating impacts of climate change. For more information, visit the original article on Kathimerini: “Αδηλο το μέλλον της Δήλου“