The most famous places on the planet that are at risk of disappearing in the coming decades due to climate change and the erosion of materials and soil.
From California’s towering sequoia trees to Australia’s exotic coral reefs, and from giant limestone ‘forests’ to the historic Swahili island, these are five of the world’s greatest and most famous wonders that are under threat of extinction.
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia Forests – California
An increase in wildfires in California is threatening the US state’s beloved trees, with around 85% of the Sierra Nevada’s giant sequoias sadly set to burn in wildfires between 2015 and 2021.
Redwood trees found in the California forest can be 80 to 90 meters tall and have a life expectancy of about 3,000 years. However, it seems that not even the tallest trees in the world are unaffected by climate change. Despite their resistance to disease and fire, due to their hard bark, the species is now classified as endangered. In 2024, there are approximately 75,000 redwood trees still standing in California and can be seen in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park, home to the largest redwoods in the US.
Jurassic Coast
White Cliffs of the Jurassic Coast in England
The magnificent Jurassic Coast is 95 miles long and is located in the South of England. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has been filmed several times and is the only place in the world that combines rock from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, resulting in a natural museum that shows 185 years of evolution.
Shaped by tides, winds and time, the rugged coastline is not only visually stunning but also a treasure trove of prehistoric fossils. The coastline is subject to frequent landslides and rockfalls due to soil and rock erosion.
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef in Australia
Reefs in Southeast Asia and the Pacific have lost the largest percentages of their reefs due to climate change, pollution, overexploitation and human disturbance. Off the northeast coast of Australia, the Great Barrier Reef stretches for nearly 1,500 miles and is home to approximately 9,000 species of marine life. Rising sea temperatures are causing coral bleaching and the reef has lost more than half of its corals in the last 30 years.
Kilwa Kisiwani / Photo: whc.unesco.org
Photo: Wikipedia
The stone ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania
The once-vibrant Swahili port city of Kilwa Kisiwani Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Tanzania, with its Great Mosque being until the 16th century the largest in sub-Saharan Africa, and Husuni Kubwa’s palace being famous for its majestic architecture.
As the island is already at sea level, its history is in danger of disappearing. Rising sea levels threaten coastal ruins. Although the Tanzanian government is taking measures to protect the main structure of the ancient city some small structures have already been lost.
Shilin Stone Forest
The Shilin Stone Forest in China
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. The 150-square-mile “forest” consists of stalagmite-like limestone spears and has been formed over millions of years by the accumulation of limestone deposits. Visitors can walk the paths between the formations but this stone forest probably won’t be around forever. Corrosion—the very force that created it—could be the reason it’s gone. Increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is predicted to increase acid rain, a key factor in limestone erosion.
Outdoor Photography: Shilin Forest, China
Photos: Getty Images / Ideal Image
