7. Maldives, South Asia
Scientists predict this archipelago of 200 islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean will be gone in as little as 20 years. Regular readers know of the celebrity clientele, the coral reefs, and white sand beaches. What you don’t know is that it is the country with the world’s lowest terrain. It’s less than one meter above sea level. Numerous scientists believe that climate change will eventually cause enough flooding that before 2100, Maldives will be uninhabitable.
8. The Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, New Zealand
New Zealand’s marine glaciers have been on the decline for over 20 years. The Franz Josef glacier has lost 1.56 kilometers in length. Furthermore, it’s happened at the fastest rate ever known to man. The famous Fox Glacier has been receding for 13 years. Its access road was closed in 2019 because of a massive landslide and frequent flooding. It can now only be reached via helicopter.
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