Seven bucket list destinations to visit before they vanish

The Maldives. Picture: Supplied

The Maldives. Picture: Supplied

Published Jul 25, 2018

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If you’ve always wanted to chill on the stark white beaches of the Maldives or penguin spot in Antarctica - you had better go soon before it’s too late.

These jaw-dropping destinations are just two travel hotspots that are disappearing due to climate change. Icebergs are beginning to melt and collapse causing the Antarctic’s scenery and wildlife to decline rapidly.

As the giant ice blocks vanish into the sea it causes low-lying destinations like Venice and the Maldives to flood.

Here are just a few of the world’s most majestic places that could disappear in the next few decades:

Maldives

The Maldives. Picture: Supplied

The Maldives is the lowest country on Earth and could soon be submerged under the sea

With sugar-soft sand and crystal-clear waters, the Maldives has thrived as a honeymoon hub. But the 1,190 coral islands make up the lowest-lying country on Earth – with an average elevation of around five feet above sea level.

This means that within the next 100 years, one of the world’s favourite holiday destinations could soon be underwater. 

Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy. Picture: Supplied

The city of romance is sinking and could be in ruin by the end of the century. 

The Italian city has been dealing with the rise in water pressure over the past decade, as well as the over-population that the city experiences, due to a constant influx of travellers and Venice residents walking through the city’s streets. 

Antarctica

Picture: Supplied

Environmentalists’ worst nightmares are coming true - The ice caps in Antarctica are melting at a rapid rate.

If you’ve always wanted to see penguins and kayak around the icebergs on a whale spotting trip, you should start planning to see the furry little mammals before they lose their home.

Sadly this icy wonderland is slowly disappearing and considered to be one of the places most affected by climate change.

Although the continent won’t disappear completely, the West Antarctic Peninsula is warming faster than most other places on earth.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea. Picture: deadsea.com

Bordered by Jordan and Israel, tourists flock to float in The Dead Sea and become in enriched in some of the qualities offered by the sea. However, in the last 40 years, the natural wonder has shrunk by a third of its original size and sunk 24 metres.

Experts believe it could disappear in as little as 50 years, due to neighbouring countries drawing water from the River Jordan (the Sea’s only water source).

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Picture: Supplied

Located off the coast of Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef is the holder of the largest coral mass in the world. The 344 468.4 square kilometre reef is also home to an abundance of wildlife.

Sadly, environmental corruption has been slowly eroding the beautiful structure. The combination of rising ocean temperatures and pollution could mean that the Great Barrier Reef would be destroyed within 100 years.

Seychelles

Seychelles Beaches. Picture: Supplied

This tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean is made up of around 115 islands and boasts numerous luxury resorts, that receives lots of tourist attention.

The picturesque beaches are now believed to be in danger of erosion as the coral in the surrounding oceans dies off. Experts believe that the entire archipelago could be submerged in 50 to 100 years.

Glacier National Park, United States of America

Glacier National Park, Montana. Picture: Trip Savvy

Once home to more than 150 glaciers, the state of Montana’s majestic national park now has fewer than 25 glaciers.

Rapid climate change could see that number shrink to zero by 2030, which would not only leave the park without a glacier but also severely disrupt its ecosystem.

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