Favourite holiday destinations such as The Great Barrier Reef, the Maldives, the European Alps and the Amazon Rainforest are all under threat from changes in our global climate. Whether it’s the rising sea levels, decreased rainfall or increasing temperatures, these are all changes that can dramatically affect economies, livelihoods and even entire communities.
The Great Barrier Reef
A 2009 report identified some of the major impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef as increased frequency of severe weather events, sea level rise and sea temperature rise. These changes, of varying degrees, have had huge impacts on the delicate and vital structure of the coral reef. It is one of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems which has already suffered damage from higher-than-average sea temperatures, resulting in coral bleaching.
The European Alps
Long considered one of the best destinations for dependable winter snow or summer mountain adventures, the Alps are becoming increasingly susceptible to the effects of increased temperatures and changing precipitation levels. As the temperature rises, so does the snow line, limiting the snowfall in previously reliable resorts that have built up around the Alps. Climbing and other activities are now only available at certain times of year due to the permafrost on many glacier routes becoming unstable and causing the rock above to crumble and break. It may reach a point where only the highest resorts are able to maintain any tourism activities, with those activities becoming increasingly limited.
The Maldives
As the world’s lowest-lying nation, only 1.3m above sea level, the Maldives is at great risk from rising sea levels. In the lead up to the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Summit, the then President Mohamed Nasheed held a cabinet meeting underwater in scuba gear to highlight the potential ramifications on the island of climate change. With a tourism economy that attracts around one million visitors each year, the Maldives is now planning a tourist tax to help fund their vision to be carbon neutral by 2020.
The Amazon Rainforest
The Amazon Rainforest is home to over 20% of the planet’s biodiversity and contributes so much oxygen to the atmosphere that it has been called the ‘Lungs of the World’. However, when sections of the forest are cut down or removed, through pressures placed on the land by those living there, carbon dioxide and methane are released into the air. Methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the atmosphere than CO2, although it remains in the atmosphere for a shorter time. The deforestation of the Amazon is a huge global issue, and no matter the reasons behind those wishing to use the land, it is something that cannot be allowed to continue to the detriment of those around the world.
No matter where you go on holiday this year, have a great time, laugh, relax and enjoy the environment that you are in. Just don’t forget that our planet is changing and that great view or the pristine beach that you love might not be there forever.
