Environmental specialist Marish Cuenca partnered with online car hire website DiscoverCars.com to predict the effects of rising sea levels, wildfires and more on cities like Kolkata, Hawaii and London. The artistic impressions show how renowned road trip routes will look in the near future if climate change continues to progress at the current rate
Greater Cairo in Egypt is mostly made up of open desert landscapes that make for a truly breathtaking and adventurous holiday experience (right). Looking ahead to 2050, this region could look considerably different. According to environmental expert Marish Cuenca, the threat of urbanisation means that much of this desert could soon be transformed into towns and other urban areas that take away from the rurality of the current landscape. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is known for its bustling nightlife, stunning architecture, and abundance of culture – including plenty of museums, theatres and more. One of the most popular roads in the city is the Metro Manila road that passes through Intramuros – an area that is home to Spanish-era landmarks and shrines from Manila's time as part of the Spanish empire. Unfortunately, alongside the majority of the city, this road is expected to be entirely underwater by 2050. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
The beautiful island paradise of Okinawa Island in southern Japan has pure, white beaches and pristine waters. Okinawa Island, regrettably, faces a very high risk of submersion by rising sea levels by 2050 as a result of both its location and small island status. Located in what is known as
The Indian city of Kolkata is another popular tourist destination, home to the picturesque Howrah Bridge that connects Kolkata with the neighbouring city of Howrah. Sadly, Cuenca warns that — due to its riverside and coastal position, Kolkata is likely to become mostly submerged by 2050. Rising sea levels as a result of the melting ice caps are already having a significant impact on the city, with frequent annual flooding causing damage to the region on a regular basis. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
Queensland, in Australia, is home to Daintree National Park — one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world. But rising temperatures have led to an increase in the number of bushfires experienced in Australia in recent years. These wildfires are expected to get much worse by 2050, with much of the Daintree National Park expected to have become badly damaged. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
The beautiful island state of Hawaii in the United States is home to idyllic beaches, perfect for surfing, alongside thrilling views of active volcanoes and rolling green hills. But by 2050, Hawaii will see an increase in the number of natural disasters. As climate change causes extreme weather events, such as drought and increased rainfall, it’s expected that many of the coastal roads around Hawaii will collapse into the ocean. Landslides are also expected to become more common. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
One of the most iconic road trip destinations in the entirety of Europe, Stelvio Pass, is located between South Tyrol and Bormio in Italy. Unfortunately, due to the structure of the roads and their location along a mountain slope, the Stelvio Pass is at significant risk of severe damage due to climate change by 2050. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
London, in the United Kingdom offers modern cityscape views, but a majority of its docks and any suburbs near the River Thames are anticipated to be submerged by 2050.This will have a significant impact on some of the most prominent tourist attractions, including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and London Bridge. Photos: DiscoverCars.com
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