7 Countries You Should Visit Before They Cease To Exist
Global warming deals with the long-term rise in the average temperature of the Earth in the coming years, largely due to mankind producing greenhouse gases that get trapped by our atmosphere. Most importantly for a number of countries, however, is the impact this will have on rising sea levels that will in turn threaten their very existence. Here are seven countries you might consider visiting before they might cease to exist.
Bangladesh
The state of Bangladesh is located within South Asia, and shares borders with India and Myanmar. Though not an island state, its population of over 163 million is constantly threatened by floods, cyclones, and tornados that occur. Sadly these sources of natural destruction are only becoming more common as climate change continues to occur. As it currently stands, over 25% of the country is covered in water due to flooding each year.
Comoros
Located between Madagascar and Mozambique off the east coast of Africa, Comoros is a island state of roughly 850,000 people. Considered vulnerable to climate change, this state has already suffered damage from increased flooding due to the rising sea levels. Though efforts are being made to safeguard the existence of this state, time will tell if they prove effective.
Seychelles
Made up of some 115 islands in the Western Indian Ocean, the Seychelles holds a population of just under 100,000. Much like the other states on this list, it has be suffering detrimental impacts due to global warming. As it stands the rising temperatures of the waters has destroyed parts of the coral reefs there. Without these reefs, the islands that compose the Seychelles as at risk of vanishing beneath the waves. If sea levels rise just 3 feet this country will cease to exist.
Palau
Located to the Southeast of the Philippines, the state of Palau is made up of roughly 340 islands and has a population of almost 20,000. It has been settled for nearly 3,000 years, though must recently it exists as a presidential republic in free association with the United States who preserves its independence while providing it with defense, funding, and access to social services. Recent erosion rates has eaten away at some of its landmass, leading to saltwater to impact crops. At the same time the coral reefs, and the fish themselves, have begun to disappear.
Kiribati
Kiribati is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean located between Hawaii and Australia composed of 33 islands with a population of 110,000. Sadly, this country is already severely under threat from rising sea levels, and most of the population have left their sinking communities to live on the largest island. Expecting that the country itself will disappear at some point, President Anote Tong purchased land on Vanua Levu, one of the Fiji islands, in expectation of relocated his people.
Federated States of Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia is another independent republic island state associated with the United States, and comprises 607 islands with a population of slightly over 100,000. Rising sea levels have inflicted much damage on the properties of the population and noteably has washed away a number of local cemeteries. Much like the other states on this list, the Federated States of Micronesia is attempting to adapt in order to survive climate change, though time will tell if it is successful in doing so.
Maldives
Composed of roughly 1,100 islands, the Maldives lies to the southwest of India and are the lowest lying islands in the world. On average they are only 4.2 feet above sea level, making it particularly susceptible to the impacts of global warming. Though inhabited in one way or another since at least the 12th century, today there is only a few hundred thousand Maldivians who call this country home. As of February 1, 2020 it has rejoined the Commonwealth of Nations, which is primarily composed of the former territories of the British Empire. Many of the islands that compose this state are already reporting significant erosion, effectively reducing the land mass for human habitation.
This article contains some affiliate links to books that you might use as references to the history of, and travel to, ten countries at risk from impacts of global warming . If you choose to purchase these books via my affiliate links, you will help support my writing and research at no additional cost to you.
.JPG){kind=link}
