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Posts Tagged ‘coral reefs’

Climate change is impacting your favorite vacation destinations. Here’s how.

Picture your favorite vacation spots. Now imagine your favorite ski resort with no snow, a coral reef barren of fish, or a tropical island without any beaches.

From the Great Barrier Reef to the Alps, many of the world’s most iconic destinations are in danger from climate change. Warming oceans are already bleaching coral reefs and as sea levels rise, entire islands could disappear underwater. A changing climate also bears bad news for ski destinations as experts predict that alpine resorts could lose up to 70% of their snow cover by the end of the century.

Read on to discover how climate change is impacting the places you visit and what the implications might be for your favorite vacation destinations.

Local man in traditional boat

How Coral Reefs Support Local Communities

When dreaming of a tropical getaway, we often envision stunning coastal vistas and coral reefs teeming with wildlife. As visitors, these underwater ecosystems quench our wanderlust by providing a remarkable backdrop and playground for adventure.  But coral reefs provide so much more than tourist gratification – they are incredibly important assets for the communities who live near them as well. About 40% of people live within 60 miles (100km) of the coast. Of these people, more than 275 million live in close proximity to coral reefs (within 30 km of reefs and less than 10 km from the coast). These nearby inhabitants often depend on reefs for their survival and well-being.