24 Stunning Places That Climate Change Is Destroying For Future Generations

Taj Mahal

Image: Shutterstock/Pius Lee

It’s no secret that pollution is one of the leading causes of global warming. Pollution is made up of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases. Carbon dioxide comes from the combustion of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, and oil for energy. Electricity production and transportation are two other huge carbon emitters. Methane is a product of coal mining, landfills, natural gas and petroleum production, wastewater treatment, and rice cultivation. Nitrous oxide is about 300 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere and it is caused by agricultural productions, human sewage, livestock manure and adipic acid production. Lastly, fluorinated gases are created by the production of aluminum, semiconductors, magnesium and HFC-22, used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.

All of this is important for understanding what the sometimes-ambiguous word “pollution” really means. Not many people understand that things like agriculture and landfills can actually emit an enormous portion of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

One consequence of increasing pollution is the deterioration of buildings. The famous Taj Mahal is being destroyed by air pollution and pollution of the river. The wood that supports the structure is decaying as well. The four minarets are already tilting and foundations are disintegrating. With the river drying up around it, the Taj Mahal is quickly changing in its appearance. It is estimated that in four short years the building will no longer be accessible.