April 22 marks Earth Day, the annual U.N.-sponsored event to celebrate the planet and raise awareness of the impact that humanity has on the natural world. As people and governments across the globe honor the date, The WorldPost looks into some of Earth's wonders that face destruction at the hands of men. Take a look at the images below and expand your knowledge of these natural treasures in peril.
Thanx to : Nick Robins-Early
Virunga National Park
Africa's most diverse park is home to rare mountain gorillas and a series of active volcanoes. Oil exploration and the ongoing brutal conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo currently pose dire threats to the park's survival.
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
The idyllic stretch of waters is home to an ecosystem that includes threatened species such as manatees and crocodiles. Excessive development and illegal hunting currently imperil the natural balance of the reef.
The Marshall Islands
The tiny, stunning atolls that make up the Marshall Islands are very close to sea level, which makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The photos above was made during recent flooding that drove thousands from their homes.
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
This 2.5 million hectare rainforest in Indonesia is home to a wealth of biodiversity, including endangered Sumatran orangutans. Logging and illegal poaching are a few of the dangers the park is faced with.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Immortalized by Hemingway, the crown of Africa's highest mountain could fade into memory within a few short decades. Studies indicate that the iconic snows of Mount Kilimanjaro are falling victim to rising temperatures brought on by climate change. The second photo shows some of the peak's melting ice caps.
Bamiyan Valley
Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley is a majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site that has sadly been ravaged by the nation's lengthy war, leaving areas of it inaccessible due to antipersonnel mines.
The Florida Everglades
The degradation of the Everglades as a result of development and reduced water flows has resulted in a reduction of the animal life in the sprawling park and put it under threat of further decline.
The Dead Sea
With its salted waters and extremely low elevation, the Dead Sea is another natural wonder that sadly seems to be slowly receding into nothingness. Lack of water flow is causing the waters to dry up and the sea to shrink at threatening rates. A proposed water pipeline to replenish the sea has been agreed upon, but there are worries that it might further upset the natural balance of the region.
Madagascar's Rainforest
The unique flora and fauna of Madagascar's rainforest have made the island a naturalists' dream for centuries, but as deforestation increases, the threat of destruction of habitat looms larger than ever.
Air and Tenere National Park Niger's Air and Tenere National park is Africa's largest protected area and home to a diverse ecosystem. Military conflict and unrest have long been threats to the gorgeous desert landscape of the park.
Thanx Nick Robins-Early
Witchy has her say:
There has been much progress made in many first world countries, including the US. Illegal dumping is targeted, as well as the burning of trash, tires, etc..Our electric power generation could do with more nuclear (if you really care about the air), since it's the most efficient way to produce power in the long run, but even coal generation has been greatly cleaned up.
Seldom do we have the sky filled with the industrial smoke and soot that used to be the steel towns. Of course, some would like those jobs back, so it came at a price.
But the world is an ecosystem, and the countries and populations that still have no restrictions or don't enforce them (such as China) affect us all. That has more to do with pollution than whether I install a solar array on my house.
It's sad to say goodbye to such beauty and diversity. Especially knowing that goodbye will be forever. Just sayin'
