Top List of Places to Dive Before they Disappear

(May 30, 2008 - ProTraveller.com) -- The earth is getting warmer and warmer with each year that passes and that means we’re going to see some significant changes in the land around us. Recently ProTraveller cited destinations most threatened by Global Warming. Many of them are island destinations famous for their scuba diving.  Here is a partial list of places to book a dive trip to see before they possibly disappear.

Great Barrier Reef:  This well-known diving spot is one of the Seven Wonders of the Underwater World and is threatened by global warming. Global warming causes the temperature of the water to rise and can change acidity levels in the area which has a direct negative impact on the coral reefs that make up this magnificent coral reef. Australia has traditionally been slower than other parts of the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a fact which has already resulted in damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

Virgin Islands: A top Caribbean destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, the Virgin Islands attract people who enjoy the warm water and beaches as well as to see the unique wildlife that thrives in this part of the world. With damage to the natural landscape and animal life already occurring, this tourist destination is coming under threat.

The Cook Islands:  The problem that the Virgin Islands are facing also apply to the Cook Islands, which are located just off of the coast of New Zealand. This area derives its primary economic support from tourism, support which is likely to drop off if the area doesn’t get its global warming problem under control. As with other oceanic islands, this chain are low-lying and face being swamped by rising sea levels.

The Galapagos Islands: This Pacific Ocean archipelago is not only a place which is beautiful but also one of historical importance. This is where Darwin came to do the studies which ultimately led him to his theory of evolution. Tourists come here each year to enjoy the beautiful weather and water as well as to learn about the history of the area. They might stop coming soon, though, if efforts to prevent damage from global warming are unsuccessful.

Belize Barrier Reef:  The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the Caribbean and one of the largest coral reefs in the world (second only to the Great Barrier Reef) and is the biggest tourist attraction bringing an economic boost to Belize. That boost is poised to fizzle out as damage to the reef occurs from global warming. That damage is already taking place despite protections put in place to prevent it.

Red Sea Reefs:  Yet another popular area for coral reef diving is in the Red Sea, specifically the renowned reefs that lie off the coast of Sharm el Sheik.  However, this region of the world may be on the path towards protecting itself from full damage by global warming through a unique experiment which would grow an artificial reef to replace the natural one. This would allow divers to continue coming to the area for at least a short while after global warming ruins the existing reefs and could protect the economy of the area which is highly dependent on tourism.

The threat to these prime dive destinations gives us all the more reason to think and act responsibly towards our environment in our businesses and our daily lives. Reducing the use of fossil fuels and our carbon footprint are critical to the survival of our reefs.

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