UNESCO Saving Our World Heritage

Book excerpt: Our world is full of wonders. From historic cities, castles and cathedrals to magnificent mountains, rainforests and oceans, the world's greatest treasures belong to all humankind. This is our world heritage. But our heritage is constantly under threat - from natural disasters, wars, climate change, construction, pollution and mass tourism. In this book, we visit over 70 World Heritage Sites in 52 countries. We find out how communities, governments and organisations are working to save this extraordinary inheritance. And we meet the people involved - the experts patiently restoring great works of art, park rangers risking their lives to defend rare wildlife, and young volunteers learning to protect the environment. Saving Our World Heritage is published in partnership with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. UNESCO created the idea of recognising a place as a World Heritage Site as a way of protecting it. Today, its World Heritage Centre works to keep these precious sites safe from danger and preserve them for future generations.