Top 10 Natural Wonders That Will Be Gone Soon

#10: Californias Sequoia Trees

Sequoiadendron giganteum, also known as giant sequoia trees, are the Earths biggest trees. They are native to the Sierra Nevada in Eastern California, but are unfortunately seriously endangered. Currently, fewer than 80,000 exist in the States. On the other hand, there are over half a million in the UK, after being introduced in the 19th century. Not only are they physically huge, but their lives are incredibly long. They can live for 3,000 years, making some older than the Roman Republic. Theyre also unique for being fire-resistant, but also rely on natural fires to bloom. Fire suppression in the last century has disrupted the cycle, making them seriously endangered.

#9: The Congo Basin

Only the Amazon rainforest is larger than the one in the Congo Basin. This sheer size means its teeming with unique life, not found anywhere else. This includes creatures like bonobos, chimpanzees, and African forest elephants, among thousands of other forms of life. A combination of climate change and deforestation is destroying the forest, alongside all that inhabit it. This is especially worrying, since its one of the planets largest carbon sinks. Efforts are being made to prevent further destruction, but if thats not achieved, well forever lose one of Africas greatest wonders. Its one of the many extremely alarming aspects of the current Holocene extinction event.

#8: Mount Kilimanjaros Snow Cap

Tanzania is home to another of Africas many remarkable wonders. Were talking about Mount Kilimanjaro, one of Earths highest volcanoes. Its peak is defined by a remarkable snowy cap, which is sadly melting at an alarming rate. In 2000, a study revealed that 82% of its ice had been lost since 1912. Estimates say itll be gone entirely by 2050. This is happening to ice caps globally, which are almost always essential to local ecosystems. Its not just a pretty peak well lose, but therell be losses of water, which will cause a greater decline in biodiversity.

#7: The Belize Barrier Reef

The barrier reef in Belize is the second largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Its the most popular site to see in Belize, featuring the famous Great Blue Hole. Scientists believe theyve only discovered 10% of all species that live there. The other 90%, we may never fully understand. Thats because since 1998, over 40% of the reef has been damaged. Its unlikely this decline will reverse anytime soon, with pollution and mass tourism being huge contributors. On the bright side, Belize banned both bottom trawling and offshore oil drilling to preserve the reef. Unfortunately, this may not be enough to save it.

#6: Glacier National Park

Along the border between Canada and the United States lies Glacier National Park. Its over a million acres, spreading across the corner of Montana. In the 19th century, it was home to approximately 150 glaciers. As of 2015, only 26 remained, with many likely having melted by now. Recent studies believe theyll all be gone by 2030, which is worryingly close. Hopefully, if humanity starts to double down on solving climate change, this will never happen. Americas President Donald Trump believes it to be a hoax, meaning its up to the individual states to take action.

#5: The Dead Sea

Despite its name, the Dead Sea is currently alive, but that might not be the case for long. It lies on the border between Jordan and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Its exceptionally salty, almost 10 times more than the ocean. This has made it a tourist attraction for thousands of years. Its sourced by the Jordan River, which humans are using more and more every year. This means less water makes it to the Dead Sea, which causes its sea levels to drop massively. People have proposed fixing the issue, but action is yet to be taken, meaning it may soon be as dead as the name implies.

#4: The Maldives

South of India lies the Maldives, a huge chain of islands spread over 35,000 square miles of ocean. Due to rising sea levels, the entire country is at risk of sinking. On average, theyre only 5 feet above sea level. This means approximately 80% of it could be swallowed by the ocean by 2050. Its home to over half a million people, so its causing major disruption to thousands. By the 22nd century, theres a chance the country wont exist at all. Their sources of fresh water have also been vanishing, plunging the nation into frequent droughts.

#3: The Polar Ice Caps

One of the major results of climate change is the melting ice caps. On the bright side, it will open up new trade routes in the Arctic. Unfortunately, the negative consequences massively outweigh this. Not only will most polar wildlife perish, but also anywhere on the coast is at risk. Places like the Maldives may cease to exist once the ice caps melt. Its been happening for over a century, at an alarming rate. Its entirely driven by industrialisation, but can be halted if we switch to renewable energies. Thankfully, renewable energy is slowly becoming cheaper than fossil fuels, but many believe its too little, too late.

#2: Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon is often considered the Earths lungs. This is because of the huge amount of carbon it captures whilst converting carbon dioxide into oxygen. The rainforests cover over 2.3 million square miles of land. By 2022, almost a quarter of the Amazon had been deforested. This is primarily driven by cattle ranching, alongside other factors. There are still plenty of undocumented plants and animals in the rainforest. Many of these plants may have vital uses, such as medicine. If we continue to destroy it, then well never get to fully understand it. Additionally, thousands of indigenous people call it home, which may be entirely gone in a few decades.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Tahuamanu Rainforest

The Mahogany Industry Is Destroying Perus Natives Lives

Rajasthan, Ranthambores Tigers

Tigers Are Rapidly Losing Their Homes

The Everglades

Floridas Grasslands Are Quickly Vanishing

The Yangtze River Basin

Chinas Three Gorges Dam May Destroy Local Wildlife, Including Pandas

Madagascar

This Islands Unique Life Is At Risk of Being Lost to Climate Change

#1: The Great Barrier Reef

On Australias northeastern coast lies Earths greatest reef, covering approximately 133,000 square miles. Its so big it can be seen from space. Its been built by underwater organisms for centuries. The reef is also home to thousands of species, but unfortunately, its being lost to climate change. More than half of its coral was destroyed between 1995 and 2017, a terrifying statistic. In 2022, we discovered it had a huge recovery, meaning hope isnt entirely lost. The Australian government has spent millions on preserving it. If successful, it may exist for centuries more.

What natural wonder will you miss the most, and have you gone to see it? Let us know in the comments section!