We might be living in the last generation in which certain natural wonders or places exist. We humans are really rough on this planet we live on. Due to our excesses and lack of attention we are polluting it to the point of near destruction. We are not taking care of the one place we have to live on. On top of that we are not even careful with the things we have taken the time to build. Because of our abuse some of the world’s greatest monuments, cities or natural environments are crumbling or disappearing. It is said that several of the places/things on this list could disappear within the next couple of decades so do not hesitate. Go see them while you can.
10) Magdalen Islands – Quebec, Canada: Even here in Canada we will be affected and lose due to climate change and pollution. The islands are made up of sandy beaches and sandstone cliffs. Due to the winds continuously pelting the islands and the ice walls that have been protecting them against erosion disappearing they lose roughly forty inches per year. Experts say that the ice walls will completely disappear within seventy years and that will leave the fragile islands completely exposed.
9) Glacier National Park – Montana to British Columbia: As recent as one hundred years ago there were one hundred and fifty glaciers that existed throughout this park. By 2005 only 27 remained. It is estimated that by 2030 or maybe even before they will all be gone. Besides the disappearance of the beautiful and majestic glaciers the animals and plant life that call them home need their cold water and ice to exist making their survival dicey as well.
8) Seychelles: This tropical paradise is comprised of a series of around one hundred and fifteen islands. The population is around 90,000. In danger due to erosion and has already seen some of its coral die off. Experts believe that in anywhere from fifty to one hundred years the entire chain could be submerged under water.
7) The Dead Sea – Jordan: The Dead Sea is an ancient and very salty body of water. Over the last forty years it has been noticeably shrinking. The shrinking has been measured to be around eighty feet. Part of the problem is that several countries have now been drawing from the River Jordan, its only source, and there is too little to go around. Experts have said that if it continues at this rate that the Dead Sea could dry up completely within fifty years.
6) The European Alps – Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Germany, France, Liechenstein, Italy and Monaco: Being that they are at a lower level than say the Rocky Mountains the European Alps are more susceptible to the effects of global warming. Around three percent of the glacial ice is disappearing each year. It is predicted that they will disappear completely by the year 2050.
5) Venice – Italy: An entire city is in jeopardy. The city that due to its canals and architecture has been deemed as one of the romantic cities in the world might be gone shortly due to flooding and sinking. Venice has long been in jeopardy due to the sinking but the more recent floodings like in 2009 have brought with them even greater danger. The danger is rising like the water as the flooding has been coming more and more frequently. It has been said that unless something is done that the entire city will be uninhabitable by the end of this century.
4) Maldives: An entire country could disappear! The Maldives is the world’s lowest lying country with its highest ground level being a mere 2.3 metres above sea level. If sea levels continue rising as they have been recently the entire country will find itself submerged. This will be as a result of global warming and is predicted to happen within one hundred years. The risk is so imminent that the government of Maldives has begun to purchase land in other countries for its citizens to live on once the island nation goes under.
3) Sahara Desert – Africa: Due to climate change and lack of water the Sahara Desert has been expanding at an alarming yearly rate. Right now it is expanded at a rate of 0.5 miles per month. This would result in the entire northern part of the African continent being altered significantly.
2) Great Barrier Reef – Australia: It is the largest coral reef in the world. Covering an area larger than 133,000 square kilometers this has been an attraction in Australia that people have long flocked to. It is so large that it can be seen from space. The environmental abuse we have inflicted upon the planet has put this natural environment in jeopardy. From the rising water temperatures to the increase in pollution in the water all this is putting this fragile ecosystem on borrowed time. It is estimated that if we do not do something drastic that the entire reef will be gone within one hundred years. A couple of centuries to destroy something that took nature eight thousand years to create.
1)Bangladesh: Bangladesh is situated precariously in the low lying deltas of the Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers. If the sea levels were to rise by a mere one metre then fifty percent of the country will be under water. It is also at risk due to monsoons, flooding, tornadoes and cyclones.
