Winter 2016 | Issue Two
places to go before
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e all have a bucket list of places we want to see and things we want to do in our lifetime. But we don’t recognize that there are places all over the world that have already lost over half of their land mass and are now in jeopardy of becoming nearly extinct. It’s unfathomable to think that some of the places we have all seemed to admire for so long are now slowly beginning to slip out of sight. Is mother nature to blame or are we the cause behind these beautiful locations becoming nearly nonexistent? “These and other sites of great natural and cultural importance are indeed endangered, though to varying degrees,” says Professor John Bowen, chair of the Geography Department at Central Washington University. “The threats vary, too, but people are usually the main source of concern.” Scientists point to illegal and unsustainable resource extraction, infrastructure and pollution
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as some of the main contributing factors resulting in the depletion of these places. In addition to this manmade damage, the natural cycle of the earth such as natural disruptions and explosions, the rise of global sea-level, and climate change, factors we ultimately have no control over. There is not an exact explanation as to why this is beginning to happen so rapidly. In despite of it all, we do have the opportunity to fight back and help restore certain areas before they become extinct. There are many activist groups doing just this. World Wildlife Fund, an international non-governmental organization, has already begun to help restore the land from deforestation and illegal extortion, which aids in protecting the culture and habitat for species in the territory. Below is a list of natural wonders known for their beauty and uniqueness. Considering that these areas are all in jeopardy of extinction and may not be around much longer, now is the time to plan your trip.