In less than 30 years, many cities around the world will be severely devastated by the impact of natural disasters.
Cities flooded by heavy rains, record-breaking heatwaves causing terrifying wildfires, and deadly droughts—our world is facing a series of natural disasters due to climate change.
While the effects of climate change on Earth are already very clear, what will its impact look like on cities and regions around the globe?
To highlight the impact of climate change, environmental expert Marish Cuenca has collaborated with DiscoverCars.com to create images of famous landmarks, showing their predictions for the severe devastation that climate change will cause by 2050.
London – United Kingdom
The images reveal that the famous capital of the United Kingdom will be in dire straits as the River Thames has overflowed. Westminster Bridge is barely above the water, while the roads leading to the iconic tourist attraction, the Elizabeth Tower, are completely submerged.
Cairo – Egypt
As a famous tourist destination that has existed for thousands of years in Africa, the pyramids are predicted to be surrounded by smoke-emitting buildings and rubble by 2050. Not only the pyramids, but the rising sea levels will also cause limestone erosion, damaging other famous architectural works throughout Cairo.
New York – United States
By 2050, we may see much of New York submerged due to rising sea levels. The image depicts the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park, a well-known spot that is expected to gradually lose vegetation and structures due to increasing acid rain.
According to the New York City Climate Change Committee, the sea level here is projected to rise by approximately 20cm to 76cm by the 2050s and by 38cm to 190cm by the end of this century.
Hawaii – United States
The beautiful island of Hawaii is known for its serene beaches, gently rolling hills, thriving wildlife, and even active volcanoes.
However, as climate change brings more severe weather phenomena such as droughts and increased rainfall, many coastal roads around Hawaii could wash into the sea. Additionally, the palm trees lining the roads in Hawaii may turn into twisted skeletons due to wildfires and volcanic eruptions.
Kolkata – India
Once the capital of India during colonial times, Kolkata is home to around 15 million people. It is famous for its royal architecture and is a popular stop on many tours.
Unfortunately, due to its riverfront and coastal location, Kolkata is at risk of being almost entirely submerged by 2050, according to Cuenca. Rising sea levels due to melting glaciers combined with flooding will likely cause this city to nearly disappear.
Okinawa Island – Japan
The beautiful marine paradise of Okinawa Island in southern Japan is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the country. With its pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it is unfortunate that due to its location and the small size of the island, Okinawa is at very high risk of being submerged by rising sea levels by 2050.
Manila – Philippines
Manila is known for its vibrant nightlife, stunning architecture, and rich culture, including many museums and theaters.
However, it is likely to share a similar fate with Okinawa, as rising sea levels pose a serious threat to this city, which is predicted to be below sea level by 2050.
