Places You Need to Visit Before They Disappear

Eco-friendly travel is a crucial part, though, so be sure to travel with a responsible operator and remember these tips when traveling abroad.
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An old saying goes, "the only thing constant is change" and indeed the world is changing all the time. From the moment the earth was formed, it's been changing ever since. Ice ages, mass migrations, climate change, the list goes on; change is constant.

In today's world though, scientists are raising concerns about the environment and how things have been changing more quickly than normal. From the booming population to the issue of pollution, there's mounting evidence that humans are changing the world around them and the eventual conclusion, it seems, doesn't look very good.

There's been talk of climate change in politics, in the media and among activist groups around the globe and it seems the rapid changes are more extreme in some places and less so in others. Just because changes aren't happening around your area doesn't mean they're not on the horizon for other nations.

We've put together a list of incredible places that are experiencing major changes. Soon these places will be changed forever, so if you've been longing to see glaciers up close, take in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef or see the Taj Mahal in person, you should do so in the near future.

Eco-friendly travel is a crucial part, though, so be sure to travel with a responsible operator and remember these tips when traveling abroad..

Glacier National Park
The tenth most visited national park in the country draws 2.3 million people a year, but that number might soon be climbing as people try to get the last look at receding glaciers. The park that was shaped by once-giant glaciers is really showing the effects of climate change, said the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK). The park that was once home to roughly 150 glaciers is now down to just 25 glaciers and some scientific estimates say the park could lose all of its large glaciers by 2030, if not sooner.Photo Credit: ShutterstockClick Here to See Places to Visit Before They Disappear
The Great Barrier Reef
The only living thing that can be seen from outer space, The Great Barrier Reef is set off Australia’s east coast and sprawls out over 133,000 square miles. This top diving spot could soon be unrecognizable, though, as water pollution, rising ocean temperatures, illegal fishing and other factors continue to take their toll. By some estimates the reef could be irreparably changed in the next 20 years if drastic measures are not taken soon. If you decide to visit, be sure not to touch the coral, as it’s easily damaged.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The Maldives
This beautiful tropical island nation is best known for its exceptional beaches and world-class diving—but the many travelers who have fallen in love with this destination and the locals that call this place home may have to relocate. The Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world with 80 percent of its land at less than 3.3 feet above sea level and if the sea levels continue to rise, the nation could be submerged in less than 100 years.Photo Credit: ShutterstockClick Here to See Places to Visit Before They Disappear
Madagascar
One of the most extraordinary places on earth, Madagascar is an island country with spectacular biodiversity. Many of the plant and animal species that live there can’t be found anywhere else on the planet, which makes the rampant deforestation, burning and excessive hunting that’s taking place even more concerning. Should these practices continue the plants and animals that call the island home will be forever changed.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Venice
The city of canals, gondolas and hundreds of bridges, Venice is known for its waterways, but as it turns out that water could be the very thing to ruin this historic city. Venice has been sinking for centuries, but some evidence suggests the process is speeding up—possibly even sinking five times as fast as previously thought. Visit this romantic city soon, as the flooding is reportedly getting worse.Click Here to See Places to Visit Before They DisappearPhoto Credit: Shutterstock


- Diana Gerstacker, The Active Times

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