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. For a few lucky places, global warming means positive things. For example, British Columbia is hoping that the extra few temperature points could mean a more Mediterranean climate that will boost their wine business and take industry away from wine hot spots like the South of France and the United States' Napa Valley. However, a great number of places aren't going to be nearly so lucky.

In addition to those wine hot spots that will be economically destroyed when the weather warms up, there are a large number of beautiful places that are going to devastated if global warming comes to pass. Numerous vacation destinations that are revered for their beauty and tranquility will drop off the map as the heat eats up the very things that make them appealing to travelers today. Famous diving spots, much-loved coastal cities and famous landmark attractions are all at risk of being lost to the global rise in temperatures.

Following you'll find information about some of the spots which are most threatened by global warming. You might want to book a trip to see some of them before it's too late!

Palau, Micronesia

Palau: This tiny Pacific Island nation is a place that has gained a lot of attention in recent years since being named one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. These are areas that marine researchers have deemed worthy of protection because of their rich underwater life. As a result, Palau has gained a lot of attention as a great place for divers interested in seeing one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Despite the efforts made to protect the area, Palau may end up changing significantly or disappearing altogether as a direct result of global warming.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Great Barrier Reef: This well-known diving spot is another of the Seven Wonders of the Underwater World and another place that 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.

Maldives, Indian Ocean

Maldives: Off of the coast of India is this island nation which is seeing the same devastating effects as the rest of the area. Because of its small size, it is in particular danger of being wiped out by the global warming problems of the region. Scientists give it only about one hundred years before it completely disappears into the ocean surrounding it.

Virgin Islands, Caribbean

Virgin Islands: People travel to the Virgin Islands to 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.

Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean

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.

Galapagos Islands, Pacific Ocean

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, Belize

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, Egypt

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 Sheikh . 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.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo: This major international city is in some serious danger; it's temperatures have been rising five times faster than the average global warming rate around the world. The entire climate of that part of the world is undergoing rapid change and it is impossible to accurately predict what this will mean for the many people living there today.

London, United Kingdom

London: It isn't only reefs and low-lying islands that are under threat from global warming. In fact, a major threat is for those large urban areas which are at risk of eventually being submerged underwater. This is caused by a change in sea levels that occurs when global warming takes place, resulting in coastal cities being destroyed by flooding. London is one of the major world capitals at high risk of this type of flooding, as depicted in this shot from the 2007 movie Flood. Scientists say that the city could be under water as early as within the next one hundred years.

New York City, USA

New York City: Across the ocean is another coastal city which plays a major role in the international landscape and which is also threatened by the flooding that could occur as a result of global warming. New York City is working hard to limit these risks but only time is going to tell whether the city can survive the rise in temperatures that is plaguing the globe.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans This city in Louisiana, United States already got a glimpse of the dangers of climate change when it was devastate by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The city is still in the process of rebuilding and remains at risk from additional damage due to future hurricanes in the area. As global warming causes the temperatures in the Atlantic and Caribbean to rise, this city finds itself to be a major target which serves as an example of the human cost of global warming.

Jakarta, Indonesia

Jakarta: The capital city of Indonesia has already experienced serious flooding last year, which many believe was a direct result of the climate change affecting the world. With more than twenty million people living in its metropolitan area, Jakarta is a city that has a lot to lose if the global warming issue continues unabated.

India

India: Losing a massive city like London or New York to global warming would be devastating but think of the impact of losing an entire country, especially one as highly populated as India. This part of the world is seeing some of the worst impact of global warming with problems ranging from extremely high (even fatal) temperatures to increased cyclone activity. The main problem is due to changes in the water patterns which are reducing the flow of water throughout the country. Mumbai is particularly at risk but the entire country is in danger from extreme weather phenomena.

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro: Another icy area that is threatened by global warming is Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. This is a highly popular destination for rock climbers who enjoy challenging themselves with extreme weather conditions. At the top of this mountain are glaciers which are rapidly melting and could disappear as early as 2020. That changes conditions in the area for climbers and may affect the value of this African mountaintop as a tourist destination.

Yellowstone National Park, USA

Yellowstone National Park: This national park is a place of historical importance to the United States because it's the oldest national park in the country. It is a place that truly takes you back in time, preserving nature and wildlife (such as American bison) that don't exist in most places throughout the country. With unique geological formations such as geysers, it's a park that draws in visitors from all around the world. And it's a park that is under serious threat as climate change impacts the nature and wildlife that are living here today.

Lake Baikal, Siberia

Lake Baikal: This Siberian lake is the deepest lake in the entire world and the largest freshwater lake in existence. Scientists originally hoped that its sheer size would protect it from damage due to global warming but evidence suggests that they were mistaken. The water's temperature has already begun to rise which could ultimately cause significant damage to the islands that have only recently started to gain the attention of tourists from around the world.

Glacier National Park, USA

Glacier National Park: This national park located in Montana is an amazing place popular with tourists from throughout America. This astounding historic wonder is on the brink of being destroyed by global warming. In fact the number of glaciers at the park has decreased from 150 to just 26 in the last century-and-a-half due primarily to climate changes in the area.

Columbia Glacier, Alaska

Columbia Glacier: Speaking of glaciers, the largest one in Alaska is rapidly disappearing as the result of global warming. It is currently a favourite tourist attraction for Alaska's visitors but taking those tours is getting increasingly difficult since the glacier is moving at an astonishingly rapid rate. This is likely to have a continued effect on the area and potentially the rest of the world - over time.

Death Valley, USA

Death Valley: Most of the places that are threatened by global warming are at risk because climate change causes flooding in the area. In contrast, Death Valley is at risk because it's already a hot place that doesn't have much access to water. This United States National Park area takes up a big chunk of Southern California, a chunk that could become almost impossible to cross if global warming heats it up even more.