Global Warming Threatens Wonders of the World

A new book by Alonzo C. Addison and published by Harper Collins highlights the threats to some of the world's most stunning natural and man-made wonders.

Not surprisingly, environmental degradation -- from pollution, development, global warming -- along with war and, yes, even excessive tourism lead the list of threats to these wonders.

On the one hand, this means visit now if you can afford the trip (unless it's to the Congo, for instance, where war is the primary cause of concern threatening the lives of endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park). On the other hand, the much larger issue isn't any individual's must-see life list. It's the preservation of these amazing places for future generations.

In that way, the issue of world heritage sites disappearing is exactly the same concern as all other effects of global warming and other forms of environmental degradation. The equation comes down to this: Is a little sacrifice now worth it for the sake of generations to come?

Disappearing World: The Earth's Most Extraordinary And Endangered Places says yes.

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