Last week on their Green Blog, Yahoo! detailed a list of American vacation spots that are going the way of the buffalo...
And as was the case for the majestic beast that once roamed the plains in great number, the actions of human beings are driving these places into near extinction. Suburban sprawl, global warming, and fossil fuel mining are a few of the ways that we've put these natural attractions in danger.
The article does jump from the critical to the fantastical; it even foretells the possible extinction of Las Vegas. And while there is still time to save some of the locations, your best bet is to visit sooner rather than later. You never know when, like Las Vegas' water supply, your chances will run dry...
Here's Yahoo's Endangered Places List...
"Paddling the Florida Everglades"
The Everglades have been on environmentalists' radar for some time now. The area must strike a difficult balance to survive: if it doesn't get enough water, it simply dries up. If it gets too much, however, the area will be "swallowed by the sea."
Sprawl and agriculture have decimated the swamp areas over the last few decades, disrupting in the natural water flow and leaving the waters shallow. But according to some, the rising sea-levels brought about by global warming will eventually flood the area and create a watery grave for the Everglades.
So grab a paddle and canoe and hit the Everglades now. And watch out for those famous Florida gators, lest you become the endangered species.
"A Scenic Drive through Appalachia"
I've driven the winding mountain roads of Appalachia, and it's a wild ride. Some of the curves are rather terrifying, but that makes it all the more thrilling.
As we wrote about last week in Green Chip Living, the beautiful Appalachian Mountains have been under total bombardment from the mountaintop coal mining (MTM) process. After the top of the mountain is essentially blown to bits to reach the valuable coal seams:
That debris is pushed down the mountainside and dumped into the valleys below in a process called a valley fill or a hollow fill. These fills have already choked off 2,000 miles of Appalachian headway streams with soot and coal, effectively destroying the surrounding ecosystems — not to mention the local fishing and swimming holes.
So instead of staring out into beautiful, boundless valleys and streams, you're increasing likely to fix your gaze on geological landfills stretching for miles and miles.
Now, the EPA just issued strict new MTM regulations, which should slow the damage. But mountains don't grow back, so you may want to plan that winding West Virginia road trip now to catch a few extra peaks...
"Salmon Fishing on the Snake River"
The Pacific Northwest relies heavily on hydroelectric power to keep the lights on in places like Seattle. Unfortunately, those massive dams are deadly for the endangered salmon that have been spawning in the Snake River for centuries.
Several salmon runs have already gone extinct, and some experts are predicting more to meet the same fate if something isn't done to quell the dam's destruction.
Last week, the Army Corp of Engineers released their plan outlining the possible breaching of several dams to allow the wild steelhead and chinook salmon a chance to repopulate. However, the possible dam breaching is considered a last resort; the study that would need to take place to justify such breaching could take up to four years.
So, regardless the outcome, you may just want to get your fishing in now...
"Whatever It Is that Happens in Vegas"
This was the most catastrophic prediction from the list: that Las Vegas will pretty much dry up and die.
Since Vegas is located in the middle of the dry, dusty desert, water can be rather hard to come by. Right now, Las Vegas gets 90% of their drinking water from Lake Mead, predictions for which say it will be dry as a bone by 2021.
While that last prediction seems almost apocalyptic, the others are clear examples of what we have to lose by ignoring our human impact on the environment.
It's easy for people to be sarcastic or dismissive about taking draconian measures to save, say, the Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard.
But the second you start telling people that Las Vegas is going extinct, my guess is you'll suddenly see those naysayers slapping Save Sin City! bumper stickers on their cars and heading to Lake Mead for an environmental protest.
Be Well,
Jimmy
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