For centuries, people have thought of earth as practically indestructible, but the reality is that no home is. And when it comes to the earth, there’s no insurance policy we can take out. If we destroy the earth, no one will come to repair it.
Over the last century or two, with the arrival of industrialisation on a grand scale and a booming population, humankind's impact on the planet has become much more dramatic. Fires, uncontrolled deforestation, rising temperatures, wars, pollution, growing social inequalities, and massive agricultural, fishing, and livestock exploitation are all reshaping the earth. The list of ways in which we are altering the planet could go on and on.
The planet sometimes lets out cries for help. And, luckily, it's not too late for us to listen. Some of the world’s most beautiful places can still be saved if they're showed the love and attention they deserve, rather than being reserved for the history books that future generations read.
The Amazon rainforest, South America
In the heart of South America, extending into eight different countries (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Surinam, and Venezuela), you’ll find the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It is the green lungs of the planet, the Amazon rainforest.
More than one third of all the plant and animal species on the planet can be found in the Amazon, with countless fascinating examples. The region is also home to some of the most isolated human tribes on earth.
Some 40 per cent of the vast ecosystem crossed by the mighty Amazon River has been destroyed over the last four decades. Due to deforestation, illegal mining, and global warming, this Garden of Eden may be unrecognisable in 50 years if we don't take action now.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has been described as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. With a length of more than 1,600 miles, the reef is composed of some 3,000 smaller, individual reefs and many tropical islands and islets. It is also the only living being that is visible from outer space.
The reef is home to thousands of different species of fish, corals, and other creatures forming an underwater world full of colour and life. The reef and the species that live along it are in peril, however, thanks to rising sea temperatures and the dumping of plastics and other pollution.
It is estimated that the Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its surface area in the last 30 years, and if we don't start to alter our behaviour now, in less than a decade it may reach the point of no return.
The Glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Mt Kilimanjaro is, with an elevation of 5,891 metres above sea level, the highest mountain in Africa and one of the most photographed in the world thanks to its striking profile, the way it emerges from the African plateau, and the ice field that occupies its highest parts.
However, that ice field has been melting rapidly. Scientists have found that 85 per cent of the ice that covered the mountain in 1912 has disappeared. By 2050, the glaciers of Kilimanjaro could have vanished completely.
The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Charles Darwin would probably be shocked if he saw the state of the Galápagos Islands today. The special and unique flora and fauna that live on these Ecuadorian islands, which are lost in the immensity of the Pacific Ocean, have arguably suffered from the onslaught of tourism over the last few decades.
Full flights constantly arrive and countless ships roam the waters while illegal fishing and hunting, as well as the introduction of invasive species, have taken their toll too. While Ecuadorian authorities work to protect the species that call the islands home, we need to travel greener – before they suffer further environmental damage.
The Dead Sea, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine
While the water level of most of the world’s oceans is rising, due to global warming and the shrinking of the polar ice caps, the opposite is happening with the Dead Sea which is, literally, dying. In the meantime, it is visited every year by thousands of curious travellers who seek to float effortlessly in its waters and want to see if it really does have healing properties.
The grim reality, however, is that the water level is dropping by almost one metre per year. The causes are to be found in a mixture of human and geological factors. The Dead Sea isn’t going to disappear in the next few years, but its medium to long-term forecasts are not promising unless things change.
The forest in the Congo Basin
The Congo Basin is the second largest river basin in the world – second only to the Amazon – and plays a crucial role in mitigating the effect of carbon dioxide levels on our planet.
It spans a number of African countries and is one of the most vulnerable wilderness areas on the planet. It is home to gorillas, elephants, buffalo, and many other species that roam its savannah, forests, and swamps.
It is one of the most diverse areas on our planet. Scientists have predicted that a significant number of the plant and animal species that inhabit the Congo Basin will disappear before 2040 due to deforestation, illegal mining, and wildlife smuggling.
Sundarbans, India and Bangladesh
Straddling the border between India and Bangladesh, the Sundarbans (or ‘beautiful forests’) are home to a host of endangered species, from rare tree-climbing fish to the world’s last mangrove-dwelling tiger population.
Today, this World Heritage Biosphere is increasingly threatened by harmful sewage, industrial pollution, and heavy logging in the area.
Glacier National Park, United States
Glacier National Park is located in the US state of Montana, near the Canadian border. Its name leaves little doubt about what you’ll find there: beautiful glaciers amid mountain peaks, waterfalls, forests, and hundreds of lakes.
It is also home to moose, bears, and mountain goats. Although today the dramatic spectacle here is still one that will remain etched in your memory forever, keep in mind that there were more than 150 glaciers in the 19th century. Today there are only 25 left and, according to scientists, if the planet continues to warm at its current rate, they will all disappear in just over 20 years.
Our ancestors left us a legacy that we must take care of with effort and love. The earth gives us everything and yet we have responded by mercilessly destroying it, blinded by ambition and selfishness. Perhaps there is still time to come to our senses and there are movements that are fighting hard to save our planet.
So how can we help? We can look after the health of our planet by following the 5 things we need to do to protect nature when we travel, book holidays with eco-conscious companies and avoid greenwashing. When we do travel, we can pack more sustainably with eco-friendly beauty products and choose to stay at hotels that pioneer more responsible travel. And maybe take a few pointers from Greta Thunberg, who keeps it simple: educate yourself, understand the science, travel better and do away with disposability are a few of her mantras that will help us all protect these breathtaking destinations.