As we all know from global warming campaigns and eco-friendly movements that have swept the world, many of our marvels around the world are disintegrating. Whether this is due to our impact as human beings, or it’s natural decomposition, they will only be here for so much longer. If you ever want a glimpse of these wonders, now would be the time.
The Galapagos Islands are the first on the list. The islands are crawling with thousands of plants and animals that call these islands and the waters in between, their home. In fact, 9,000 species or so live here and will be impacted when these islands disappear. The main reason for the islands’ destruction is increased tourism and the competition for resources that they bring in. As over 270,000 people visit each year, it is only natural that the islands will begin to hurt. It you want a taste of these beautiful islands’ gorgeous waters and amazing wildlife, you might want to get your travel plans arranged soon.
Next, are the Maldives. It is actually the smallest Asian country, but consist of over 1,200 islands. Almost all of the islands are only 3.3 feet above seawater, making them the world’s lowest nation. The life of these islands are in such danger that the president has begun shopping for land in other areas to compensate for the loss of land, which is expected in less that 100 years. The cobalt blue waters are some of the warmest in the world, and many consider it the closest thing to paradise they have ever seen. It is a heaven for divers, as the island is recovering from coral bleaching and series of natural disasters, and is a huge fishing industry worldwide. The disappearance of the Maldives will be a huge devastation for paradise seekers around the world.
The Dead Sea is next on the list, and is shrinking as we speak. The Dead Sea is a marvel for many reasons. First off, it is the world’s saltiest body of water, being 10 times saltier than the ocean. Swimming in the Dead Sea isn’t really swimming at all, but rather a sort of floating. Tourists will no longer be able to experience this wonder in 50 years or so, due to water levels dropping 4 feet a year on average. It is the lowest place on Earth, at 1,388 feet, something nowhere else can claim. Many travelers worship the healing qualities and beautification miracles that lie within the clay of the Dead Sea. Where will our skin be when the Sea shrinks into nothing? We better ask ourselves before it is gone for good.
The Alps, one of the greatest mountain ranges in the world, are also close to their demise. The threat? Ice loss, and as with most environmental issues, the cause is global warming. Temperatures are increasing by almost a whole degree every ten years, and temperatures have increased 2 times as fast since the 1880’s. This means that global warming is getting worse and worse and therefore, our beloved Alps are disintegrating faster and faster. They have shrunk by almost 20% in the last 40 years. Looking at the giant mountains, it is hard to imagine that they could just disappear, but the fate of these famous glaciers is closer than we think.
Lastly, is the Taj Mahal. Being last on the list most certainly does not mean anything, and in fact, the Taj Mahal’s life expectancy is shorter than any of the above. The beautiful wonder of the world is expected to close to the public in about 5 years. Air pollution is very much at fault, as it is eating away at its beautiful stone facade. Mass tourism is also to blame, and it is possible that in less than five years the beautiful wonder structure will only be visible from afar. While it seems strange to suggest more tourism to a place, which is being killed by the industry, these next few years will possibly be the last to see it up close. If you do visit, all we can ask is to do it respectfully to try and prolong the life of this structure as well as the rest of the wonders around the world that are in danger.
sa·yo·na·ra 