Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
The Great Barrier Reef (1/10)
The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world with almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 344,000 square kilometers. About two million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year.
Climate change is the biggest threat to the reef. In recent years, rising water temperatures have caused coral bleaching and forced certain marine species to leave. Due to mass tourism and pollution, the water quality has declined and many parts of the reef have been damaged. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system, faces the same threats from climate change and tourism. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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The Great Barrier Reef (1/10)
The Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast of Australia is the largest coral reef system in the world with almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching over 344,000 square kilometers. About two million people visit the Great Barrier Reef every year.
Climate change is the biggest threat to the reef. In recent years, rising water temperatures have caused coral bleaching and forced certain marine species to leave. Due to mass tourism and pollution, the water quality has declined and many parts of the reef have been damaged. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system, faces the same threats from climate change and tourism. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
The Maldives (2/10)
With most of the 1,200 islands in the Maldives archipelago lying just a meter above the Indian Ocean, the 400,000 inhabitants are increasingly worried about ending up under water. Global warming, melting sea ice, and heavier storms could have a devastating impact on a nation that relies almost exclusively on tourism. Some scientists say the Maldives could disappear within one hundred years. In 2008, president Mohamed Nasheed announced plans for a fund that would buy a new territory for the Maldives people if the archipelago was flooded.
Palau and other Pacific island nations are also increasingly threatened by rising sea levels. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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The Maldives (2/10)
With most of the 1,200 islands in the Maldives archipelago lying just a meter above the Indian Ocean, the 400,000 inhabitants are increasingly worried about ending up under water. Global warming, melting sea ice, and heavier storms could have a devastating impact on a nation that relies almost exclusively on tourism. Some scientists say the Maldives could disappear within one hundred years. In 2008, president Mohamed Nasheed announced plans for a fund that would buy a new territory for the Maldives people if the archipelago was flooded.
Palau and other Pacific island nations are also increasingly threatened by rising sea levels. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Mount Kilimanjaro’s ice fields (3/10)
At 5,882 meters high, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the fourth highest mountain in the world. Every year, about 20,000 to 30,000 tourists climb up the mountain.
However, the iconic white cone of the mountain could disappear by mid-century. In the past 100 years, the glaciers at the top of the mountain have been melting steadily, loosing 84 per cent of their ice. The loss of the ice cap would change conditions for climbers and hikers and may severely affect the tourism industry in this area. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Mount Kilimanjaro’s ice fields (3/10)
At 5,882 meters high, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the fourth highest mountain in the world. Every year, about 20,000 to 30,000 tourists climb up the mountain.
However, the iconic white cone of the mountain could disappear by mid-century. In the past 100 years, the glaciers at the top of the mountain have been melting steadily, loosing 84 per cent of their ice. The loss of the ice cap would change conditions for climbers and hikers and may severely affect the tourism industry in this area. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
The Galapagos Islands (4/10)
Giant Tortoises on the Galapagos Islands. If you’re keen on seeing some rare animals, the Galapagos Islands are the place to go. Volcanic activity and extreme isolation led to the development of an unusually diverse wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Many species are not found anywhere else in the world. Today, the 19 islands west of continental Ecuador are a unique showcase attracting scientists and tourists alike.
In 2007, UNESCO put the Galapagos Islands on the list of World Heritage in Danger. Major threats to the islands are introduced plants and animals that are brought in by humans which displace native species. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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The Galapagos Islands (4/10)
Giant Tortoises on the Galapagos Islands. If you’re keen on seeing some rare animals, the Galapagos Islands are the place to go. Volcanic activity and extreme isolation led to the development of an unusually diverse wildlife that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Many species are not found anywhere else in the world. Today, the 19 islands west of continental Ecuador are a unique showcase attracting scientists and tourists alike.
In 2007, UNESCO put the Galapagos Islands on the list of World Heritage in Danger. Major threats to the islands are introduced plants and animals that are brought in by humans which displace native species. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Venice, Italy (5/10)
The “city of bridges” in northeast Italy stretches across 118 islands in a shallow lagoon that are connected by 400 bridges. In the old center, gondolas on the 177 canals serve as the main mean of transportation.
Venetians are used to frequent floodings; ground floors of many buildings are already uninhabitable. In the past century, sea levels have risen by 23 cm while the city has sunk by about 7 cm. A huge integrated defence system project – MOSE – is under way to protect the city from rising waters. However, if the water rises higher and faster in the future due to global warming, it is questionable whether it can protect the city from being flooded. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Venice, Italy (5/10)
The “city of bridges” in northeast Italy stretches across 118 islands in a shallow lagoon that are connected by 400 bridges. In the old center, gondolas on the 177 canals serve as the main mean of transportation.
Venetians are used to frequent floodings; ground floors of many buildings are already uninhabitable. In the past century, sea levels have risen by 23 cm while the city has sunk by about 7 cm. A huge integrated defence system project – MOSE – is under way to protect the city from rising waters. However, if the water rises higher and faster in the future due to global warming, it is questionable whether it can protect the city from being flooded. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Jakarta (6/10)
One major metropolis threatened by the impacts of climate change is Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, home to 15 million people. Heavy rainfall, clogged sewage pipes and waterways, and the fact that some areas are below sea level cause major floods every year.
But the city is also vulnerable to other types of climate change-related disasters like landslides, drought, and tropical storms, extreme weather events that will increase in frequency and severity as the world warms. Dealing with these threats is a big challenge for Jakarta, especially as the city’s population continues to grow rapidly. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Jakarta (6/10)
One major metropolis threatened by the impacts of climate change is Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, home to 15 million people. Heavy rainfall, clogged sewage pipes and waterways, and the fact that some areas are below sea level cause major floods every year.
But the city is also vulnerable to other types of climate change-related disasters like landslides, drought, and tropical storms, extreme weather events that will increase in frequency and severity as the world warms. Dealing with these threats is a big challenge for Jakarta, especially as the city’s population continues to grow rapidly. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (7/10)
In 1986, UNESCO put the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone in Peru – the remains of the capital of the ancient Chimu Kingdom, one of the most important pre-Hispanic earthen architecture cities in the Americas – on the list of World Heritage in Danger.
Climate Change was the main reason: “Changes in precipitation and drought cycles, in humidity, water-table levels and ensuing soil chemistry will, inevitably, impact the conservation of archaeological remains,” according to UNESCO. Temperature rises and rising sea levels are also expected to take their toll. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (7/10)
In 1986, UNESCO put the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone in Peru – the remains of the capital of the ancient Chimu Kingdom, one of the most important pre-Hispanic earthen architecture cities in the Americas – on the list of World Heritage in Danger.
Climate Change was the main reason: “Changes in precipitation and drought cycles, in humidity, water-table levels and ensuing soil chemistry will, inevitably, impact the conservation of archaeological remains,” according to UNESCO. Temperature rises and rising sea levels are also expected to take their toll. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (8/10)
Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and therefore attracts many visitors every year. Among its 220 historic monuments are the Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The biggest threats to Jerusalem are the destruction of religious artefacts due to political violence, uncontrolled urban development, and the general deterioration of the city’s monuments due to mass tourism and a lack of maintenance. The Holy City of Jerusalem has been on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage in Danger since 1982. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (8/10)
Jerusalem has always been of great symbolic importance to the three religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and therefore attracts many visitors every year. Among its 220 historic monuments are the Dome of the Rock, the Wailing Wall, and Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The biggest threats to Jerusalem are the destruction of religious artefacts due to political violence, uncontrolled urban development, and the general deterioration of the city’s monuments due to mass tourism and a lack of maintenance. The Holy City of Jerusalem has been on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage in Danger since 1982. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Florida's Everglades (9/10)
The subtropical wetlands in southern Florida stretch over 6,110 square kilometers. In recent decades, more and more residential, commercial, and industrial zones have been built near the Everglades National Park.
More than 50 percent of the original Everglades has been transformed into agricultural or urban areas which puts the water balance and ecosystem under great stress. Populations of wading birds have dwindled 90 percent from their original numbers. Diverting water to Southern Florida’s growing urban areas and rising sea levels caused by global warming are further threats to the Everglades. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Florida's Everglades (9/10)
The subtropical wetlands in southern Florida stretch over 6,110 square kilometers. In recent decades, more and more residential, commercial, and industrial zones have been built near the Everglades National Park.
More than 50 percent of the original Everglades has been transformed into agricultural or urban areas which puts the water balance and ecosystem under great stress. Populations of wading birds have dwindled 90 percent from their original numbers. Diverting water to Southern Florida’s growing urban areas and rising sea levels caused by global warming are further threats to the Everglades. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Ten Places to See Before It's Too Late
Tibet and the Himalayas (10/10)
The Himalayas are home to the world’s highest peaks (Mt. Everest and K2). They are the most magnificent mountain range on Earth, spreading across six countries. 1,3 billion people rely on the freshwater supply from three major river systems whose source are the Himalayas.
Global warming is gradually melting the Eastern Himalayan glaciers. Changing fresh water flows would have a severe impact on the region, biodiversity, and people. Especially the Tibetan Plateau, which has an average altitude of 4,000 meters and is therefore more sensitive to temperature changes, has to face short-term floods and droughts in the long-run if the warming continues. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Tibet and the Himalayas (10/10)
The Himalayas are home to the world’s highest peaks (Mt. Everest and K2). They are the most magnificent mountain range on Earth, spreading across six countries. 1,3 billion people rely on the freshwater supply from three major river systems whose source are the Himalayas.
Global warming is gradually melting the Eastern Himalayan glaciers. Changing fresh water flows would have a severe impact on the region, biodiversity, and people. Especially the Tibetan Plateau, which has an average altitude of 4,000 meters and is therefore more sensitive to temperature changes, has to face short-term floods and droughts in the long-run if the warming continues. (Photo: Shutterstock)
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