Climate-driven Catastrophes: Exploring the Haunting Ghost Towns through Dark Tourism
Discover the eerie allure of modern-day ghost towns created by the climate crisis Explore Vunidogoloa in Fiji, Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana, Cotul Morii in Moldova, Chacaltaya Ski Resort in Bolivia, and Valmeyer in Illinois Uncover the inherent fascination with ruination in these abandoned landscapes
When you think of "ghost towns," you may envision abandoned towns in America's Wild West, lost in the passage of time. In fact, during the late 19th century, numerous mining towns that experienced a sudden boom and subsequent decline were left deserted by their residents due to the depletion of resources and economic challenges. However, as time passed, some of these remnants have been revitalized into popular tourist destinations with a playful and nostalgic atmosphere.
Climate change and subsequent environmental catastrophes, characterized by a rising occurrence and severity of devastating floods, droughts, storms, wildfires, and extreme temperatures, are currently provoking the initial phases of abandoned locations caused by climate displacement.
"We are witnessing a tangible shift - it is already underway - wherein individuals are relocating from regions significantly affected by storms, escalating sea levels, floods, and the pervasive risks of fires and smoke inhalation," states Gaia Vince, the author of "Nomad Century: How Climate Migration Will Reshape Our World."
She highlights recent incidents such as the wildfires in Hawaii, California, and Australia, along with the floods in Bangladesh, as noteworthy catalysts for migration and displacement of communities.
"She questions the number of people who will return to Lahaina in Hawaii after the fires. It is unlikely that 100% of the population that left will come back, as some individuals will be unable to do so."
Experts state that abandoning a settlement is generally viewed as a final course of action, pursued only after all alternative options have been exhausted.
On certain occasions, resettlements have been facilitated or compelled through "managed retreats" or "planned relocations," wherein government agencies offer financial and logistical assistance. Dr. Jack DeWaard, a scientific director at the international NGO the Population Council and an authority on climate and environmental migration and displacement, emphasizes that this necessitates government entities collaborating with communities to completely relocate them.
For the displaced, "the costs of migration, economically and psychologically, are substantial," he says.
Dark tourism takes to the sky above Chernobyl
Forced to forego their traditions, family connections, ancestral resting places, and even their language, individuals are compelled to abandon their homes as they become uninhabitable. This traumatic and challenging ordeal is faced by a significant number of people, with the United Nations estimating that over 20 million individuals are displaced annually due to severe weather events. Moreover, researchers predict that by the end of the century, a staggering 3 to 6 billion people will find themselves unable to thrive within the optimal climate conditions suitable for human life.
"It does not imply that 3 to 6 billion individuals will be required to relocate, but it does indicate a significant number of individuals will have to move," mentions Vince. According to her, this will particularly impact communities of color and/or those already struggling with poverty.
"Usually, migration and displacement are phenomena that stem from inequality," clarifies DeWaard, who further asserts that the climate crisis will "worsen the current disparities of society."
An inherent fascination with ruination
Vince suggests that various regions, which have traditionally depended on tourism for their economic sustenance, might face the risk of abandonment when viewed from a tourism perspective. To illustrate this point, she presents instances such as Alpine ski resorts, where the lack of suitable snowfall hampers skiing activities, or popular vacation spots such as Spain and the Mediterranean, which have been witnessing perilous heatwaves and wildfires.
"Tourists will opt for alternative destinations," she suggests. "They do not wish to endure scorching heatwaves while constantly fearing evacuation due to rampant forest fires."
However, a unique subset of "dark tourism" could potentially emerge, centered around these abandoned towns resulting from climate change."
According to Dr. Philip Stone, who leads the Institute for Dark Tourism Research at the University of Central Lancashire, there is a natural fascination with ruins that often reveal the tale of our past mistakes and hardships. As climate change continues to impact the world, these landscapes will inevitably succumb to destruction, prompting us to mourn the decline of our environment. By visiting these locations, individuals can gain a profound understanding of the impact of climate change and benefit from valuable educational encounters.
Dr. Philip Stone, from the Institute for Dark Tourism Research, argues that although dark tourism, defined by the institute as visits to sites related to death, disaster, or the macabre, may raise ethical concerns, it can ultimately have positive effects.
"The visual impact of landscapes altered by climate change serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of our industrialization," he asserts. "Exploring such locations at present sheds light on the profound effects of climate change and, thereby, provides educational opportunities to the modern-day visitor."
Here are five deserted towns around the world that have emerged as a result of climate change reshaping the Earth - a forewarning of what potentially lies ahead. (It is worth mentioning that in a few of these locations, a few determined residents still endure.)
Vunidogoloa, Fiji
The Fijian town of Vunidogoloa was resettled due to rising sea water levels in 2014.
Christoph Sator/picture alliance/Getty Images
The Fijian government has identified numerous coastal communities in Fiji that are at a high risk due to the increasing threat of rising sea levels and stronger cyclones associated with climate change. As a result, plans are being made to relocate these communities to higher ground in order to protect them from the imminent danger they face.
Vunidogoloa, a small coastal village located on Vanua Levu, the second-largest island in the country, was the first to undergo relocation. In 2014, the village was moved to a picturesque hillside inland.
Nowadays, only remnants of the original dilapidated village can be found on the old site, which has been taken over by lush vegetation. This abandoned area was once home to approximately 150 residents.
Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana
Communities along coastal Louisiana have been particularly devastated by climate changes sea level rise, coastal erosion and battering storms and hurricanes.
Once covering 22,000 acres, Isle de Jean Charles, an island situated in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 80 miles (129 km) south of New Orleans, now comprises a mere 320 acres due to sinking. In order to provide assistance to the local community, whose residents have asserted their Native American heritage, a government grant was awarded to fund the development of a fresh settlement called "The New Isle." This newly established community is positioned on higher ground, about 40 miles north of the original island.
As of October 2023, all but four of Isle de Jean Charless original families have relocated there.
Cotul Morii, Moldova
A view of Cotul Morii village through a barbed wire fence.
Moldova, one of the most climate change-vulnerable countries in Europe, consistently confronts a range of climate risks including heatwaves, storms, droughts, and notably, floods. Over the past two decades, it has experienced three significant flooding occurrences.
The extensive flooding in the agriculturally dependent country has resulted in significant devastation and financial burdens, with certain villages being deemed irreparable. Among them is Cotul Morii, a settlement located along the Prut River which was engulfed by a disastrous flood in 2010.
Instead of opting for reconstruction, the government enforced the construction of a new Cotul Morii village approximately nine miles distant.
Chacaltaya Ski Resort, Bolivia
Bolivia's abandoned Chacaltaya Ski Resort closed in 2009.
Luke Chen/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
At a soaring altitude of 17,388 feet, the lodge atop Mount Chacaltaya was once renowned as the highest ski resort in the world. It emerged in the 1930s as a beloved and exclusive winter destination in Bolivia's majestic Andes, captivating skiing enthusiasts with its pristine slopes. Regrettably, the resort was forced to cease operations in 2009, ending years of delight for skiers and snowboarders who flocked to its slopes just north of La Paz.
The Chacaltaya glacier, which had been in existence for 18,000 years, completely melted due to climate change in that same year. This resulted in the disappearance of a significant amount of snow. Presently, the former resort, including its deserted café, bar, and ski lifts, serves as a tangible reminder of what once existed.
Valmeyer, Illinois
Old basketball courts at the abandoned Valmeyer High School. The entire town was moved to higher ground after a 1993 flood.
Kile Brewer/The New York Times/Redux
Climate change has been associated with increased frequency and intensity of droughts and floods along the Mississippi River, the longest river in North America.
After the devastating Great Flood of 1993 submerged Valmeyer, a small town in Illinois, causing significant damage to most of its structures, the residents of the town, with financial support from the government, made the collective decision to rebuild the town of 900 inhabitants on a nearby elevated area known as a bluff.
The flood event predates climate change, but today, Valmeyer serves as a prime example of a successful town relocation for climate resilience. Currently, the new Valmeyer is flourishing, while the original town, located in a floodplain, is predominantly utilized for agriculture and recreational purposes.
