On our evolving planet, the geopolitical environment is always changing, so power shifts, climate change, and economic reasons can all affect a country’s rise and fall.
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly which countries will disappear over the next few years, there are many places currently dealing with serious problems that could eventually lead to their extinction. Read on to check if your wishlist country is on this list.
Here is the list of countries that are about to disappear:
Tuvalu
The small Pacific island nation of Tuvalu is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The highest altitude is only 4.6 meters, and the rising sea level poses a great threat to its survival.
The country experiences heightened coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion and frequent severe storms. Tuvalu has been a staunch supporter of international action on climate change, but its future remains up in the air.
Maldives
The archipelagic nation of the Maldives is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. The highest point in the Maldives is only 2.4 meters above sea level, and if global warming is not curbed, it may be submerged.
The country has already started looking into possibilities, such as building artificial islands and moving its citizens to higher ground. However, serious questions remain about the long-term viability of the Maldives.
Kiribati
Another Pacific island nation, Kiribati, is also at risk from rising sea levels. Authorities in Kiribati are very concerned about the country’s coast being gradually inundated by rising sea levels, forcing residents to relocate. The country’s average elevation is only 3 meters, and villages have disappeared under the rising tide.
The freshwater resources of the atoll islands were flooded by the saltwater ocean, resulting in crop failures. By the end of the century, the densely populated island nation could be submerged, leaving behind thousands of invincible climate migrants.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu, an archipelago of 80 islands in the South Pacific, is highly vulnerable to climate change. With many islands averaging only a few meters above sea level, they already suffer from saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion.
Rising sea levels hastened the extinction of an already fragile country, adding to the burden of high cyclone formation rates in Vanuatu.
solomon islands
Rising sea levels are also having a major impact on the low-lying Solomon Islands, north-east of Australia. In recent years, some islands have disappeared, causing population displacement and endangering their cultural heritage.
Nonetheless, the population of Solomon Islands has grown gradually over time, reaching approximately 780,000 people in 2021. The government worries about the fate of the declining country and its citizens, as global warming appears set to seriously threaten their ability to survive in the decades to come.
Fiji
Although Fiji has more than 300 islands, it is not immune to the hazards of climate change. Erosion and flooding are posing a greater threat to the nation’s coasts as some islands lose large amounts of land.
Fiji has taken proactive measures to combat climate change, such as setting up a climate change adaptation fund and encouraging the use of renewable energy. Meanwhile, the country’s long-term viability remains in doubt.
