Unique Destinations Threatened by Our Climate Catastrophe
Sometimes seeing is believing.
The world is dying and humans are responsible for destroying the last remnants of a once vast natural world and driving species extinction. While many of us do our very best to rectify our past mistakes, others find themselves at the opposite end of the spectrum and either do nothing to curb their carbon footprint or make it worse by being climate science deniers.
To many, this can all feel a bit abstract. To the world’s urban populations, the changes the Earth is going through don’t feel apocalyptic yet and haven’t affected their daily routines. However, the effects of the climate crisis are very very real and can be observed in frightening evidence throughout the natural world in every corner of the planet.
So, what better way to become energized and inspired to fix our climate crisis than to see the destruction with your own eyes first hand?
We’ve all seen the Great Barrier Reef, Venice, the Amazon, the Arctic, and the Maldives make headlines, but there are so many other priceless destinations in trouble that are worth everyone’s attention. Here is a list of destinations that will eventually be destroyed by the climate catastrophe (unless drastic changes are implemented) and which you should see with your own two eyes before they are gone forever. And while you’re at it, help preserve these stunning settings for the future by offsetting your flight carbon emissions here.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
The Arctic’s glaciers have captured our attention but they sure aren’t the only things melting.
Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the seven summits, is the highest mount in all of Africa and figures on many a bucket list. If that’s the case for you, better act fast and catch the next flight to Tanzania.
The face of Kilimanjaro is changing. Soon enough, the picturesque snow atop the mountain will be no more. Just take a look at satellite photos if you need proof. In the last hundred years the snow caps have lost more than 85% of their grandeur.
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Tuvalu
Picture this: you’re on a pristine beautiful beach nestled somewhere between Australia and Hawai’i catching some rays…but wait, the water is rising, slowly, but steadily and paradise doesn’t stay so great so long.
This is Tuvalu’s reality. Climate change is drowning the island. Rising sea levels caused by melting ice sheets are threatening an entire nation’s home. This Polynesian island is just two meters above sea level and the water is steadily creeping its way up.
Give it a good 70 years at this rate and we’ll have an all new Atlantis on our hands.
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Easter Island
It’s almost as if the moais are judging us a little, many giant stone faces turning a disapproving eye on the mess we’ve made.
South America’s Patagonia has struggles of its own, but Easter Island is not far behind. Climate change means many things. In this case it leads to colder waters, which lead to droughts which lead to wetlands running dry and freshwater becoming a rare resource on the island.
Oh and don’t forget the erosion. From now on, just consider islands as a future endangered entity.
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The Alps
A nightmare of many Europeans has already begun: the ski season is becoming shorter and shorter.
Stretching across Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Slovenia, the Alps have long been one of the top worldwide destinations to shred the slopes…or drink hot cocoa in a chalet while gazing at gorgeous snow capped mountains. Sadly, both of these activities are in jeopardy.
Climate change is, unsurprisingly, making snow melt. At the rate we’re going, by the end of the century, the ski season will basically be nonexistent and you’ll have to climb higher and higher up the Alps to catch a glimpse of powder.
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The Dead Sea
While this article isn’t light, even it would float in the Dead Sea. Bordering Jordan and Israel, this salt lake is so filled with the mineral that many flock over to feel a bit of weightlessness, if only for a little while.
The Middle East keeps getting hotter, which makes it hard for the lake to get its strength (and water) back. Add to that the development of nearby regions which derives the water of the River Jordan away from the Dead Sea. Multiply that by some greedy cosmetic companies extracting minerals in an irresponsible fashion. Add in some more dams and reservoir for good measure. And that equals no more Dead Sea by 2050.
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Mumbai, India
Remember earlier when it was mentioned that island may be a thing of the past? Coastal cities are facing a similar fate.
Mumbai, with its population of 18.41 million, is quite the booming city in South Asia. Rich with culture, history and energy, this Indian metropolis keeps on growing. And with that, high rises keep popping up closer and closer to shore.
Rising waters, eroding coastlines, and floods becoming more and more routine will all culminate in millions upon millions of Indians being displaced. Where? Who knows.
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California
California may be the poster child of the American dream. Reality isn’t quite so picture-perfect though.
While beaches are great in theory, rising sea levels are already putting the Golden State at a disadvantage. The state’s mountains and forests also make it very desirable and well…flammable. California just went through its worst drought ever which, with a bit of help from us, has led to catastrophic wildfires.
If Hollywood starlets losing their mansions doesn’t quite struck a chord, think of this: no more wine. Climate change means bye bye Napa Valley!
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Famed for its beautiful beaches and people, Rio de Janeiro is making its way on plenty of travelers’ radar. And with good reason! The South American seaside city has absolutely beautiful beaches and plenty to see in its colorful streets.
Rio is set to be the city who will feel the effects of climate change the most in all of South America. In less than a hundred years, every beach in the city will be flooded and so will plenty of its favelas. With flooding come diseases, and soon enough fun samba-filled trips will have to be replaced with humanitarian help.
Christ the Redeemer might be looking down on us a little disapprovingly at the moment.
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Why should you care? It’s simple, for the time being, we’re all stuck on this giant beautiful ball of dirt, and it would be pretty great if we could stay on it for as long as possible. The Climate Crisis is real, it’s been here for while, and it’s not going away without a massive collective effort of our entire species..
This might be a bit of a downer of a read but it’s a reality we can’t shy away from anymore. Traveling is an amazing thing and it brings us so much — it’s only reasonable for us to give as much as we can back.
To finish this off: travel responsibly and make good environmental choices.
Want to visit one of these destinations before it’s too late? Jubel can craft you a personalized experience matching:
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