Time to see: 10 places that will soon disappear from the face of the Earth

Under the pressure of global warming, industrial activity, and simply a huge influx of tourists, some places on the planet will soon be visible only in pictures. Due to irreversible processes, some of them may disappear from the face of the Earth, while others will simply be denied access in order to preserve at least what remains. Our generation may be the last to be lucky enough to see them with their own eyes.

Due to the increased influx of tourists, Easter Island is having difficulty providing basic needs such as water and electricity. Tourists wandering uncontrollably around the island leave behind mountains of garbage and intentionally or accidentally cause damage to stone moai statues and the fragile ecology of the island. Local residents do not like all this, so they are fighting with all their might to significantly limit the number of visitors.

Antarctica's glaciers are melting at a catastrophic rate, ten times faster than during the Middle Ages. To minimize the impact on nature and at least somehow reduce the rate of melting, greenhouse gas emissions are being reduced and severe restrictions on cruises are being introduced. Another couple of years - and they will be banned altogether.

In order to preserve Machu Picchu, several years ago, UNESCO set a limit on visits, which currently stands at 2,500 tourists per day. However, Peruvian researchers are not satisfied with this figure, and they are trying to significantly reduce the number of visitors.

The highest point in Africa, Kilimanjaro, is covered with a snow-white cap of snow. Over the past century, 85% of this snow cover has melted. Precipitation does not have time to compensate for the amount of melted snow, therefore, according to scientists, within 20 years the snows of Kilimanjaro will melt and the mountain will forever lose its original appearance.

Population surges of the crown-of-thorns starfish feeding on coral polyps, tropical hurricanes, global warming and an increasing flow of tourists are causing irreparable damage to the Great Barrier Reef. Due to the increase in the acidity of the water and its temperature, the unique reef system is being destroyed. Presumably, by 2100 it may completely disappear from the face of the Earth.

The islands of Vieques and Culebra were used by the US Air Force for training bombing, as a result of which their flora and fauna were severely damaged. When the bombing stopped, mass tourism began to undermine the already shaky ecology. The unique ecosystem that has developed on the islands is under threat of extinction.

Ten years ago, the level of the Dead Sea was more than 11 meters higher than it is now. The main reason for the drop in the water level is the industrial development of minerals and the use of 80% of the tributaries flowing into the sea. To save the Dead Sea, they are going to bring a channel from the Red Sea to it. Thus, the unique salt pond will never again have the same look and composition of water.

The mausoleum-mosque of the Taj Mahal receives about 3-5 million visitors a year. However, in the next five years, at the request of UNESCO, the monument may be closed to the public. This is due to the fact that due to the huge influx of tourists, the deterioration of the environmental situation around and the activities of industrial enterprises, the temple is rapidly collapsing and losing its whiteness.

About two millimeters a year, Venice is submerged under water. According to scientists, by 2028 the city may become uninhabitable, and by 2100 it may completely sink.

Getting to Tibet every year is becoming more and more difficult. This is due to the fact that from time to time the Chinese authorities close it for tourists due to security reasons. In recent years, entry to foreigners has been increasingly closed, which can lead to a complete cessation of organizing tours and issuing visas to independent travelers.