Our planet is currently undergoing a new extinction and the natural world is suffering at the hands of humans. The following are 6 amazing sites around the world to see before they disappear forever.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, spanning over 1,400 miles and is home to 1,500 different species. However, pollution, overfishing, and rising ocean temperatures have wreaked havoc on this once pristine part of the ocean and 93% of the reef has been lost. It’s estimated that in the next 10 years, the reef will be gone forever.



Glacier National Park

Grizzly bears, rugged peaks, crystal clear water, and glaciers! Covering one million acres in northern Montana, Glacier National park once boasted an impressive 150 active glaciers, but only 25 remain today. Scientists predict that the remaining glaciers will melt entirely in the next 15 years.



Madagascar

It’s no surprise that Madagascar, located off of the east coast of Africa, is one of the most diverse islands on the planet. 80% of the species that call this island home cannot be found anywhere else in the world, including their iconic lemurs. Mass deforestation, forest fires, and poaching have decreased the landscape to just 10% of its original size. It’s estimated that Madagascar may cease to exist in the next 30 years.



Maldives

One of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world boasts crystal clear waters, tropical fish, and luxurious overwater bungalows. Yet, it’s the lowest-lying country on earth and more than 80% of the islands are only three feet above sea level. The government is already buying land elsewhere for their 380,000 citizens who will be displaced by the rising oceans in the next 30 years.



Snow-Capped Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro itself is not disappearing, but the snow on it’s peaks is. The ice sheet has reduced by a whopping 85% in the last century and scientists predict that this iconic landmark in Tanzania won’t have ice on it’s peak in the next 20 years. The last time Mount Kilimanjaro didn’t have ice coverage was 10,000 years ago.



Amazon Rainforest

Covering a staggering 1.7 billion acres, across 9 South American countries, the Amazon Rainforest is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. It houses an impressive amount of different species, including 2.5 million different insects. Climate change, deforestation, and mining are all contributing to its deterioration and could be wiped out within the next 50 years.

What You Can Do To Help

Going vegan and eliminating animal products from your life is the single best thing you can do to help our ailing planet. Much of the deforestation happening across the globe is to house and feed grazing livestock. Additionally, the world’s fisheries are at risk of complete collapse by the year 2048, so by making easy changes to your diet, you’re helping these natural wonders rebuild instead of contributing to their destruction.