Visit these famous landmarks before they disappear

[jw5]

The Earth is transitioning rapidly each year, with well-known locations already showing the impacts of climate change and human activity. These historic sites are rich in history but they're suffering damage and are on the brink of total destruction.

Discover the sites, from natural marvels to ancient artifacts and thriving cities, that are at risk of disappearing.

 

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Amazon, Brazil -

The world's largest rainforest, the Amazon covers 2.6 million square miles (6.7 million square kilometers) of South America, the majority of which is in Brazil. Sadly, it is at serious risk due to agricultural expansion, wildfires, and deforestation. The damage increased to a devastating degree under the leadership of former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro.

 

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Jakarta, Indonesia -

Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and a hub for culture, economics, and politics with a population of over 10 million, is facing rapid sinking. Reports suggest that significant parts of the city could be underwater by 2050, making it one of the fastest-sinking cities in the world.

 

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Timbuktu, Mali -

The m&d brick walls of the city's mosques, built in the 14th-16th centuries, are at risk due to their earthen architecture.

 

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Dead Sea -

The Dead Sea level is said to drop at least three feet (one meter) annually. Experts fear that it will disappear completely if the population keeps diverting the Jordan River’s flow, as it is the Dead Sea's only source of water.

 

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The Great Wall of China -

Over-cultivation, natural wear and tear, and the sale of bricks with historical engravings have already damaged two-thirds of the iconic wall.

 

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Manila, Philippines -

The capital city is said to be sinking at a rate of approximately four inches yearly because of excessive groundwater pumping and rising sea levels.

 

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Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska -

The park's peak, measuring 20,310 feet (6190 meters), is known as the tallest in North America and is currently experiencing significant changes due to glacier melting.

 

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Grand Canyon, USA -

The peak has been listed as one of the 11 most endangered historic sites in the US by the National Trust for Historic Preservation because of depreciation from tourism.

 

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Great Barrier Reef, Australia -

Studies show that more than half of the reef has been bleached to death from rising water temperatures and acid pollution in the corals.

 

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Seychelles -

The island paradise situated off the east coast of Africa is facing a threat from rising sea levels, putting the low-lying islands at risk due to unprecedented changes.

 

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Petra, Jordan -

The most famous archaeological site in the country suffers from a combination of rainfall, winds, and weathering caused by the hands of visitors.

 

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Swiss Alps -

The mountain range loses about 3% of its glacial ice every year because of global warming. Experts predict that half of the ice from the 4,000 glaciers will disappear by 2050 due to past emissions alone.

 

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Everglades, USA -

The 1.5-million-acre wetlands reserve in Florida is at risk due to flooding, invasive species, and urbanization, making it the country's most threatened park.

 

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Mendenhall Valley, Alaska -

Beneath the Mendenhall Glacier are famous caves and ice domes that continue to melt every year.

 

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Memphis, Egypt -

Experts predict that nearby construction, rising groundwater, and pollution threaten the tombs, monuments, and pyramids.

 

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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, USA -

The Michigan park known for its beautiful natural scenery is falling victim to climate change. Through altered temperatures and precipitation patterns, the park's natural ecosystems are suffering.

 

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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam -

Because of excessive use of underground water and fast city growth, several areas of the city are sinking slightly every year.

 

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, USA -

The dunes and beaches that are 450 ft (137 m) above the coast are suffering from the invasion of algae, mussels, and a rise in phosphate levels.

 

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Congo Basin, Central Africa -

Two-thirds of the world's second-largest rainforest, with 1.3 million sq km, may disappear by 2040 because of illegal mining.