CLIMATE CHANGE: WORLD’S ICONIC LANDMARKS THAT ARE AT RISK

With global temperature rising at an alarming rate, a series of effects like flooding, wildfires, and drought have been witnessed. Meanwhile, some of the iconic landmarks also had to bear the brunt. And, if the situation is not brought under control, these landmarks might even disappear in the near future.

Here’s a list of iconic landmarks that are at risk of disappearing due to climate change.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

The kaleidoscope of vibrant colors that spans more than 1400 miles, the Great Barrier Reef is famous for being the world’s largest coral reef system. Home to exotic marine life, it is facing danger due to global warming. Reports have it that due to rising ocean temperatures around the majestic coral reef, it has caused irreversible coral bleaching, which is referred to as a condition in which the coral turns white and becomes prone to mass die-offs, thereby destroying a vital habitat for marine life. As of 2020, an aerial survey has revealed that around 60 per cent of the reef’s living coral were already dead because of this.

The Dead Sea

Famous for being incredibly salty water that allows bathers to float on its surface, the Dead Sea is reportedly under threat. Reports have it that the water level of the sea is estimated to be dropping approximately by around 3 ft every year, and might likely be dead already in certain ways. Since the water level is receding here at an alarming rate, there are nearly around 7000 sinkholes created here, which are being linked to man-made dams. Also, since the minerals found in Dead Sea are heralded as therapeutic, extraction by cosmetic companies further proved detrimental. Add to this, the Middle East’s increasingly hot climate, the lake is counting its days, and if this situation continues, the lake could be completely dry by 2050.

The Amazon

Well known for being the largest rainforest on earth, it covers around 40 percent of South America. Despite the Amazon’s vast size and home to vibrant flora and fauna, global warming has made the habitat of the Amazon very fragile. While droughts have left tree species in the jungle parched, and devastating wildfires are becoming increasingly prevalent, Amazon surely will have to give a tough fight to survive.

The Maldives

The Maldives is made of around 1190 individual islands, and it’s truly a tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. But things might not remain the same for long. This island nation, built on a network of coral, is also the lowest-lying country in the world. Reports have it that the country might be completely submerged due to a number of reasons, such as higher water temperatures, rising sea levels, seawater acidity, which in fact kills coral, and is putting the islands in grave danger.

The Alps

The Alps is undoubtedly one of the popular ski destinations in the world, which might not remain for much longer, if the issue of climate change is not looked into. Reports have it that the glaciers are melting at a rapid pace. The increase in temperature might eventually lead to melting of Austria’s largest glacier. What is more frightening is that scientists predict that by the end of the century, one will probably have to climb up to the 10000 ft mark to witness snow on the mountains.

Article Credit: timesofindia