Challenges of Managing Maritime Cultural Heritage in Asia in the Face of Climate Change

Changing weather patterns, increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards, rising sea levels associated with global climate change have the potential to threaten cultural heritage sites worldwide. This is especially case for maritime located in low-lying coastal delta regions Asia. Maritime can reflect both highly localized products based on coupling people environments historic footprints complex networks that connect people, ideas, material over vast distances, creating unique spheres. Furthermore, potentially serve as or contain records how past societies been impacted by adapted environmental stress. Therefore, their degradation threatens local/regional/global patrimony well evidence human resilience fragility face change. makes a strong urgent preservation. However, possible damage caused scale vulnerable pose seemingly insurmountable challenges. In this paper, we present ways which across Asia are stresses, such changing levels, erosion, flooding, storm surges. Our objective draw upon our experience documenting endangered South Southeast illustrate there conceptual practical characteristics complicate effective management conservation efforts required prevent massive loss We conclude stressing need reconceptualize debates about custody stewardship urgency employing wide range innovative preservation solutions ensure not lost tides.