Polar bears in Canada; the Maldives; glaciers in Alaska, New Zealand, Switzerland … are there places you’re eager to see now per chance they won’t much exist or be as attractive in the near future?

It’s quite the conundrum in that “last chance” travel contributes to climate change … and yet who doesn’t want to see many of these places?


Rather provocative story.

“The global tourism industry, which is responsible for 11 per cent of GHG emissions, also faces increasing disruption.”

<snip>“… last year offered the most dramatic and convincing evidence yet of (climate change’s) effects. Wildfires destroyed tens of thousands of square miles of forest in the US, South America and Europe.

“Devastating floods hit Australia, South Africa, the Sahel and Pakistan, and Europe endured the hottest summer since measurements began … African rivers are dry. Alpine resorts are warm and muddy. Beaches in the south of France recorded June-like temperatures at Christmas and, (in late February), Los Angelenos built snowmen (and) India issued heatwave alerts …

“The effects of climate change on tourism assets, such as biodiversity, coral reefs, glaciers and cultural heritage, are leading to an increase in ‘last chance’ travel to destinations before they are further degraded,” a 2019 study in the Journal of Travel Medicine warned.“


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/last-chance-travel-the-places-youll-no-longer-be-able-to-visit-in-five-years-time-r76km5qg6