Top Tourist Destinations at Risk from Climate Change

Travel broadens the mind, and many have bucket lists of top destinations. Unfortunately, some of the very best are at risk of being damaged by climate change or destroyed entirely. From ancient cities to features of outstanding natural beauty, the worldwide impact of our changing climate cannot be underestimated. Technology and better regulation may improve the situation, and the future hangs in the balance.

Combating Climate Change with Technology

The world is warming, leading to more volatile weather patterns and climatic challenges from flooding to desertification. People and nations are seeking to mitigate the impact by a combination of political agreements and technological advances such as carbon recycling and geothermal heating. But time is ticking, and unless progress is made rapidly, some of the world’s most iconic destinations may soon be lost forever.

Losing fertile land to desert is nothing new. The loss of agricultural land in the ancient world led to the extinction of silphium, a plant that could be used as a safe contraceptive and which made animals who fed upon it taste delicious. However, climate change can transform cities into deserts at an alarming rate and risks a critical loss of farmland in the process. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the immediate impact that loss of grain exports can have, hiking prices globally and leading to spikes in inflation. Likewise, the Soviet Union’s abuse of the Aral Sea led to its volume shrunk by 80% between 1960 and 1998.

According to a new research, there’s an array of tourist destinations and top cities at risk of climate change that face being swallowed up by sand if climate change continues unabated. Las Vegas and El Salvador have already seen their ecosystems dramatically undermined by the changing climate. In the near future, many places may change utterly and start to resemble science fiction landscapes, such as the world of Dune.

The Great Barrier Reef

Australia is not short of exquisite natural attractions, from the exotic (and often dangerous) wildlife to stunning landscapes. But perhaps its great destination lies beneath the waves. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef anywhere on the planet. It is a beautiful wonder, yet this living artwork is also fantastic for marine wildlife, acting as a home for innumerable aquatic residents. For Australia’s economy, the Great Barrier Reef is perfect for tourists keen to explore under the sea. But this might not last much longer.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space, but now it is dying. Scientists estimate that around half of the reefs have collapsed already. This has been attributed to rising water temperatures causing coral bleaching, and with the oceans forecast to get still warmer, this has raised doubts over how much of the reef can survive or whether it will die out entirely. Increasing ocean acidification and tropical storms only compound the threat posed to the Great Barrier Reef.

The Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is one of the most evocative locations in the world. For now, at least. A third of its surface area has already vanished thanks to climate change. This is partly down to rising temperatures, but other human activity (dams, reservoirs, and pipelines) has also contributed to this iconic destination losing three feet a year. It may even vanish completely within the next few decades.

This would be a tragedy, as the Dead Sea is a major tourist draw for cultural, religious, and health reasons. The famously salty water (more than nine times saltier than the ocean) has long been said to have therapeutic properties. In addition, its unique composition means swimming is more akin to floating.

Venice

Venice has a fascinating history that has left it brimming with enticing historical sites. Unfortunately, as one of the world’s top cities affected by climate change, Venice is also facing numerous serious threats. The city is renowned for its waterways, and these naturally put it in difficulty when sea levels are set to rise. However, Venice’s problem also comes from the other direction because the land upon which this Italian jewel is built is sinking. These twin challenges have made flooding a regular occurrence and raised fears this marvel might eventually be lost entirely.

Those keen on seeing Venice are advised to do so sooner rather than later. Be prepared for intense crowds; however, as the city has so many tourists, it is seen as a challenge rather than an opportunity. This surplus of overseas visitors has led the city to introduce a modest tourist tax in a bid to reduce the number of day trippers. At just €5 and not affecting hotel guests, many believe this to be merely a first step before an increase in the scale of the tax takes place.

Desertification

Climate change, also known as global warming, is mostly seen through the prism of the ocean. This is for obvious reasons. Most countries have a coastline, and flooding can not only displace people but also destroy agricultural land. Many cities are either on the coast or by a river. However, while some parts of the world are becoming wetter and experiencing more flooding than before (including historic cities such as Venice and York), others are facing a danger just as severe at the opposite end of the spectrum: desertification.

The Future of Travel

Travel is going to continue regardless of what happens to our climate, but it may change somewhat. The emissions produced necessarily by transport may lead to carbon offsetting becoming the new normal as a sustainable approach to tourism. However, this may end up causing price increases that mean those of more modest wealth have increasingly limited travel opportunities.

Climate change presents a unique series of threats to both natural and man-made destinations around the world. It might be that through political will, advancing technologies, and individual actions, the worst effects can be mitigated or avoided, but some sites are at critical risk right now.

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Top Tourist Destinations at Risk from Climate Change