We’re all aware of changing weather patterns and the phenomenon that is ‘Global warming’. We are especially aware when it affects us at home, but what about our favourite holiday destinations, because they too are under threat from rising sea levels and changes in temperature.
Bob Henson from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Colorado is the author of “The Rough Guide to Climate Change”. His book lists some of the locations which may be greatly affected over the coming decades; these are, in his opinion, the top five which we should be concerned about.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space, it’s huge, but it’s in decline and so are the creatures that live there. The warming of the oceans means that the corals are living at the upper edge of their temperature tolerance. When the water becomes even hotter they get stressed, loosing their colour a transformation known as coral bleaching.
If the water cools enough the corals will revive themselves, but if it doesn’t the corals die of starvation. This is something that has been becoming more and more common.
The Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
For years the Amazon rainforest has been threatened by loggers causing deforestation and loss of habitat, this deforestation may have helped towards climate change, something which now threatens the forest further. When the trees are cut their preferred growing conditions, such as soil density and shade, are destroyed. This means that the saplings which remain don’t have the correct conditions in which to flourish and so die. The Amazon rainforest is one of the biggest victims of the recent climate change.
The Rocky Mountain National Park, USA
Rising temperatures have caused a rising of a different kind in the Rocky Mountain National Park, the rise in the numbers of Pine Beetles. In the past the icy cold winters of Colorado killed off the beetles, but the higher temperatures mean that they can now survive much longer and of course breed in greater numbers. Beetles now live here in huge proportions and they all need food, so the trees are slowly being devoured.
New Orleans, USA
In 2005 New Orleans was subject to the devastating Hurricane Katrina, but it’s also under threat from rising water levels caused by global warming. Bob Henderson says that life is difficult for some now, but in the next few decades it will be even worse. It’s not just New Orleans that’s affected; other coastal cities as well as cities such as Venice and London are feeling the effects of rising water levels even with flood barriers installed.
The European Alps
The National Geographic reports that the glacial region of the Alps is slowly disappearing, and by 2050 it could have entirely disappeared. The climate change has already affected some of the lower altitude ski resorts who now have to regularly make snow, but the glaciers too are beginning to melt.
For every expert who tells us the perils of global warming there are those who say that it is not as bad is it’s suggested, but whoever is right, some of the most wonderful places in the world are under threat and as travellers we must try and minimise our impact in any way we can to protect them.
Check out our top 10 unusual green travel tips for some ideas of how to reduce your environmental impact while on holiday, right here at the magical hotels finding website, Hotels Fairy.
You can also find out more about the climate change and green living and help to protect the environment on the on-line green community Cooltribe. Hotels Fairy, the UK hotel comparison website, is an active supporter of the green and sustainable living to safeguard our environment.
A fantastic post – we must do all we can to ensure that future generations get to see these amazing places and not just through old pictures
I’ve been many times to the french Alps. In over 30 years I’ve seen how the glacial region of the Alps is slowly disappearing as you said. That’s very sad…
My girlfriend and I are planning a trip to the Great Barrier Reef for next spring. We went to Hawaii last year and fell in love with snorkelling and scuba diving so it should be an amazing trip. We usually take Backpacking Gear and stay along the beaches. It helps us save money and you get some of the best views of the oceans that way.
Great post! It is our obligation to protect and care our nature. These coral reefs actually the home of our little fishes in the sea so it’s obviously important for them. I believe that if we don’t stop those people who are taking advantages to our nature, like doing illegal acts, surely we’ll find our safe places in the future.
All those places are wonderful…I hope all of us will make a way on how to stop global warming to save those amazing destinations from threats. If we will just do preventions to stop the global warming, we could still have our travel on those places someday…
It is really sad when something bad happens to nature. Nature is something that keeps us sane, helps us relax and it is also a great testimony that their is a God. This kind of post is an eye-opener that we should take care of nature not tomorrow, not later but now if we want our kids to experience the same beauty that we are experiencing right now. Do it for the next generation.
Been to the Alps. Been to the Rockies. Need to go to the others before too much changes, especially want to visit Brazil.
I believe that the Earth doesn’t stop to change
it changes all the time, so some places are going to be covered by water (due to Global warming) and other will appear
so do not bother on Global warming it’s natural process
Hi. Agnes Lee here of Travel Guide Blog. Can we use this article of yours in our blogsite? We will credit you accordingly.
And also, if you are interested to link exchange we are so willing to do so. You can contact me thru this email: agnes(dot)odusee(at)gmail(dot)com. Good luck and more power. Thanks.
Seeing all these beautiful pics make me have a stronger desire to protect our environment. thanks for the pics!
Very nice holiday destination indeed. People loves to travel and visit different places. But we must put in mind also that this tourist spots are endangered because of pollution. The government must limit visitors on this famous destinations to preserve it’s beauty to the next generation. And by turning our electronics off if not in use we help reduce global warming and help preserve this wonderful places.
Hi Agnes,
Thanks for the comment, I will email you.
Tom @hotelsfairy
I hope you would not mind if I placed a part of this site on my univeristy blog?
It would be a great shame to loose any of the above places. Let’s not forget Antarctica and places like that. It will definitely be interesting to see what does happen in the not to distant future.
Tom
A fantastic post – we must do all we can to ensure that future generations get to see these amazing places and not just through old pictures
I heard that because the Maldives are all only a few metres above sea level then they’re are massively threatened by it all.
If you’ve ever been there then you’d agree that they’re very beautiful. The view on the plane flying in takes a hell of a lot of beating.
I hope that by highlighting these places as being under threat it will encourage more people to think about their responsibility to the planet.