Bucket List Places to see Before They Disappear
I recently returned from a trip to Peru, where I went to Machu Picchu and learned they would be closing the inside to tourists within the next 5 years, leaving it viewable only from afar. The change is inevitable to preserve this historic site, but it sparked my interest into how many places in the world will become unavailable to the public in the near future, either from damages caused by excessive tourism or by climate change.
I’m not necessarily saying we should all rush to visit these places, since it only adds to the massive amounts of tourists they see each year, but it’s something to keep in mind when traveling and sheds light on the importance of leaving no trace and taking nothing but photos.
Everyone has a bucket list of all the beautiful places they want to go. However, some of those places have a ticking timer and will soon be gone, damaged or no longer accessible to the public. Below is a list of places that fall into that category and why.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Built in the 1400s by the Incas, this sacred ancient site cannot stay open forever. In order to preserve it for future generations to view, they will be shutting down the inside of this New World Wonder within the next 5 years.
To further hone in on the importance of refraining from touching historic objects, in Sacred Valley I witnessed a man lean on a brick railing built by the Incas and accidentally pulled a brick out. A brick that had been placed there in the 1500’s, ruined forever because a man decided to lean on it with his hand. Please use his mistake as a lesson to be mindful about where you’re leaning and touching when traveling.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
We all know the Great Barrier Reef is suffering the effects of climate change in the form of bleached reefs. Bleaching happens when the water is too warm - as little as a 2 degree Fahrenheit change - and causes coral to drive out algae.
When I read about the Great Barrier Reef dying at an alarming rate back in 2018, I applied for my passport, got scuba certified and took an 18 hour flight to Australia to see it for myself before the coral bleaching got any worse. Seeing the bleaching first hand was heartbreaking, but it opened my eyes to what I can do on an individual level to help the reef.
Venice, Italy
The increase in water levels as a result of climate change is causing this Italian city to gradually sink. The Venice canals are steadily covering more windows, at a rate of 1 mm per year. In addition to sinking, the city floods an average of 100 times a year.
Despite its sinking and flooding problems, Venice is still as beautiful as ever and worth seeing.
New Orleans, Louisiana
At one time, the Mississippi River would deposit sediment along the coast. The production of man-made levees prevented this natural sediment build-up, subsequently allowing air pockets to form in the soil. The pockets filled with salt and other particles, prompting the land to sink more rapidly than it would otherwise.
A 2016 NASA study found that parts of New Orleans are sinking at a rate of 2 inches per year, meaning it would be underwater by 2100.
Maldives
Yet another place rapidly sinking due to climate change. 80% of the country's islands are just one meter above sea level, leaving them extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels.
If the world does not act on climate change, Maldives won’t exist by 2100.
Taj Mahal, India
Although it’s one of the Seven New Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal isn’t what it once was. What used to be white marble is now a yellow-brown tint due to rising pollution and the government’s failure to restore this world treasure.
The deterioration of the Taj Mahal is continuing despite new efforts to decrease pollution in the area.
Amazon Rainforest, South America
When I was in the Amazon in Peru, the people who live there spoke of mining and deforestation and how it’s destroying the jungle and the place they call home.
With as much as 17% of the forest lost already, scientists believe that 27% of the Amazon will be without trees by 2030.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Global warming has accelerated glacier melt in this glorious national park. Between 1966 to 2015, all of the glaciers in the park got smaller. Some losing as much as 80% of their area. It’s warming at nearly two times the global average.
This park originally featured around 150 glaciers, but that number has dwindled to a mere 25. Glacier National Park is a must see for nature lovers before it’s gone forever.
The Dead Sea, Egypt
The water level of The Dead Sea is declining at a rate of over a meter a year.
Environmental groups say this is the result of a fight over scarce water resources in Israel and Jordan. Because if this, some experts believe the saltiest sea on earth will be gone by 2050.
Antarctica
Another beautiful part of nature that is being destroyed by global warming. Some parts of this icy continent are experiencing significant ice retreat due to climate change.
Pollution is also causing significant harm to Antarctica - increasing quantities of plastic are washing up on the coastlines.
Great Wall of China
This magnificent wall was built to protect China from enemy invasions during the Ming dynasty, but today it’s one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. Many efforts have been made to restore portions of the ancient wall, but it is still being damaged by erosion and from people selling its bricks for profit.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
This National park was named one of the 11 most endangered historical sites in the United States by the National Trust of Historic Preservation in 2015.
The park is consistently threatened by the effects of mining and tourism traffic.
The Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Overfishing and global warming threatens this nature-rich island, causing coral reefs to die as the ocean temperatures continue to rise.
Disrespectful tourists are also to blame as many native animals have their habitats threatened at the hands of humans.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Hiking this brilliant mountain and highest point in Africa is high on my bucket list and for good reason. Not only is it an active volcano, but it’s the highest free standing mountain in the world. However, it’s fallen victim to deforestation and global warming, which is slowly melting the snowy peaks.
Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
These magnificent pyramids are the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to still exist today, making it a must-see for any traveler.
Although they’ve survived 46 centuries, these mysterious structures are quickly becoming victims of erosion and urban growth near the pyramids.
I hope this list inspires people to do their part and make some changes to their daily habits and tourism practices. We can all work to decrease our carbon footprints and plastic use to help combat climate change and quite literally save the world.