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The Seven Wonders of the World are usually associated with monuments and sites that commemorate great creations by man. However, planet Earth boasts plenty of natural beauty–– and creations that its inhabitants depend on for our livelihood. As climate change rips across the globe, it takes down many of Earth’s most prized possessions. The following are seven natural wonders of the world that are under threat, and the consequences of destruction.
WONDERS AMAZON RAINFOREST
The Amazon Rainforest is a vast region that spans across eight countries in South America. This beautiful landscape contains 1 in 10 known species on Earth, 1.4 billion acres of forest (which is half of the world’s remaining tropical forests), and 4,100 miles of rivers, among other things. The health of the Amazon reflects the health of the planet. The rainforest contains between 90 and 140 million metric tons of carbon which helps stabilize both local and global climate. Due to deforestation and climate change, many of the ecosystems within the Amazon will be affected. The warming temperatures lead to droughts and flooding that make it harder for vegetation to grow and harder for animals to survive. These droughts also lead to forest fires that burn large amounts of trees, irreversible damage. Local farmers must adapt and change their agricultural practices to be more sustainable in order to help save the Amazon as well as their own food supply. These new and improved practices will increase food security among local communities while also reducing the need to turn forest space into agriculture.
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writte anushka j sam g art by m ledg
