The summer is still on and yet everyone already agrees that 2019 summer was one of the hottest in history.
Between fires, heatwaves, and drought, the effects of climate change have become more concrete and visible for many of us.
No region escapes to the threat of climate change, some destinations are more affected than others and are at risk of disappearing. And don’t think it’s limited to distant countries or small islands in the middle of the Pacific.
Here’s a list of ten tourism destinations that might disappear before the end of the century.
1. The Maldives
© Jailim Rashad on Unsplash.com
The Maldives, a popular destination for its turquoise waters, its many atolls and it’s luxury resorts is in danger of being wiped off the map.
The cause?
The rise of the oceans. The archipelago is composed of 1192 islands, more than 80% of which are also less than one meter above sea level.
According to the latest IPCC report, sea level will rise by 26 to 77 cm by 2100. Experts all agree that the archipelago could be entirely submerged by then and that its inhabitants will be among the first climate refugees.
2. The Dead Sea
© Toa Heftiba via Unsplash.com
The salt concentration of the Dead Sea and its black mud give it thermal properties and also make it a tourist attraction. Travelers gather on its banks to admire the scenery and experience the magic of floating without a buoy.
The Dead Sea has already lost a third of its surface area since 1960.
The Cause?
The decrease in rainfall but mainly irrigation.
ed by the overexploited Jordan River, the Dead Sea may have disappeared entirely within the next 30 years.
3. The Everglades
© Holiable - taken in 2013
The Everglades, Florida’s main ecological reserve, is a popular destination for those crossing to travel to the United States.
This area, which has more than 350 bird species, is already on UNESCO’s list of threatened sites and for a good reason: its surface is continuously shrinking.
The cause?
Global warming, rising water levels, urbanization and overexploitation of agriculture have gradually prevented fresh water from flowing through this vast swamp known as the “grassy river”.
As a result, saltwater enters the wetlands and dries them out irremediably.
4. Venice
© Damiano Baschiera - Via Unsplash.com
Venice has made a lot of headlines this year, around mass tourism and especially cruise ships that bring crowds of tourists every day.
But, did you know that the city of the Doges is doomed to disappear?
The cause?
Rising water levels. In 2010, a UNESCO report pointed out that the Doge’s City, which has always been affected by floods, would undoubtedly disappear. With global warming, the rise of water is accelerating, and Venice could be underwater within 80 years.
5. The Alps
© Ricardo Gomez Angel via Unsplash
Popular among mountaineers and skiers around the world, the Alps are getting warmer and warmer. So warm, that skiing in low altitude resorts, may not be possible at the end of the century.
The cause?
Greenhouse gas emissions. With the increase in temperatures, you may no longer be skiing in the Alps by the end of the century. At least that is what the cryosphere already alerted us on in its 2017 report. A report that predicts that the Alps could lose 70% of the snow cover.
6. Petra
© Brian Keruz on Unsplash.com
Known as the Pink City, Petra is a World Heritage treasure. A gem that many travelers want to admire one day with their own eyes.
Unfortunately, this ancient city seems destined to collapse and will no longer be visible in a few years.
The cause?
Rain, salt, sun and wind causing the city to crumble. Water infiltration and erosion create many cracks in this city carved into the rock. As a result, there is a real risk of collapse.
7. Mount Kilimanjaro
© Sergey Pesterev - Unsplash.com
For many people, Tanzania rhymes with Safari. For others, going to Tanzania is a bucket-list destination to hike to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, and admiring its fauna, flora and eternal snow.
But its glacier should soon disappear.
The cause?
Global warming. Between 1912 and 2007, glacier shrank by 85%. At this rate, the eternal snow will have disappeared entirely by 2030
8. Amsterdam
© Eirik Skarstein - Unsplah
We often talk about Amsterdam, the little Venice of Northern Europe. Its canals, museums, and parks make it an ideal destination for an eco-friendly city break.
Bordered by canals, the Dutch capital could well find itself in the water by 2050.
The Cause?
Rising temperatures and waters that pose a real threat to the country which has 25% of its lands below sea level
9. Glaciers of Patagonia
© Arto Marttinen via Unsplash
Like their cousin, OK, the Icelandic glacier whose disappearance was celebrated in August 2019 ( see our post on instagram), the Patagonian glaciers are threatened.
The cause?
The absence of rain and global warming are causing glaciers to shrink in this region of Chile, which is highly popular among round the world travellers.
10. Komodo Island
© Alex Block via Unsplash
In Indonesia, Komodo Island, which announced during the summer that it would close to tourists for a year to protect its famous little dragon, is also at risk from climate change.
This small island, part of the archipelago of the Sunda Islands, is known for its exceptional ecosystem, its corals and the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard species.
The cause?
Increased rainfall and coral acidification are already affecting this diver’s paradise, which could also disappear below the surface of the water as the oceans rise.
All regions of the world are affected, and the list of destinations threatened by global warming is long. Many scientists are working on solutions to limit the damage. At our level, as travelers, to limit our impact, it is up to us to adopt eco-friendly practices wherever we travel.
HoliableHoliable is an eco-friendly travel planner helping you find sustainable hotels, green restaurants and ethical tourism activities around the world. Holiable was developed to share experiences, advice and reviews on sustainable travel, making it easier to prepare your next eco-friendly holiday.
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