Climate change puts world's stunning tourist sites at risk
Climate change threatens many places around the world. Experts warn that without taking appropriate actions, many tourist gems may soon disappear. It is known which ones are the most at risk. If you haven't seen them yet, it might be worth hurrying.
Experts caution that if we do not end the reckless exploitation of nature and fail to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, negative changes in nature will progress faster than we think. There are many such places that are already on the brink of disappearance. It's worth visiting them before they become just nostalgic memories.
The Dead Sea and the Mekong Delta threatened with disappearance
The Dead Sea is a saltwater lake with no outlet, located in the tectonic Jordan Rift Valley, on the border of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Each year, it loses about 3 feet of water. Experts, as reported by NBC News, predict that by 2050 the Dead Sea could almost completely disappear. The shrinking of the Jordan River and industrial mineral extraction are particularly problematic.
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam is also threatened with disappearance. It is a key region for rice and fish production. According to "Nature Communications," the delta is subsiding due to urbanization and the blocked flow of sediments carried by the river, halted by dams in China and Laos. Saltwater is destroying crops, and 1,235 acres of land are lost annually. If the situation does not change, the region could disappear, severely affecting the local economy and culture.
Tourist gems like the Maldives and Venice will also disappear
The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world. The islands rise only about 5 feet above sea level and are threatened by rising water levels. Some islands already disappear underwater during storms. Former President Mohamed Nasheed compared the fight against this phenomenon to cleaning up the aftermath of an earthquake with a broom and dustpan. Without reducing CO2 emissions, the islands could disappear before the end of the century.
Venice, on the other hand, is a city built on thousands of wooden piles driven into the marshy ground of the lagoon. Unfortunately, this cultural wonder is also threatened by the ever-rising sea level. Forecasts suggest that by the end of the 21st century, the water level around Venice could rise by about 4 feet. The MOSE system, intended to protect the city, is proving insufficient. "Aqua alta" increasingly floods the city, threatening its future.
Climate change is having a real impact on these places, and their futures are uncertain. Experts are calling for actions that can prevent further damage.
