BY ABIGAIL COATSWORTH
In the past 5 years, the Great Wall of China has started to erode due to Climate Change. The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s oldest wonders, dating back to the Qin Dynasty and being one of Qin Shi Hunag Di’s many accomplishments. The Great Wall was actually established by the connecting of other small walls around China. The Great Wall stretches around China’s northern border for 3460 km then another 2860 km in trees and spurs. There is also an extra part of it near the Pacific Ocean. Overall, the structure’s length is estimated at 8,852 kilometres. A disputed Chinese study, however, claims the length is more than 21,200 km. In ancient times, the Great Wall enormously helped protect China from Mongolian nomads in the Gobi Desert. The Great Wall was one of the boundaries which kept Ancient China isolated from the rest of the world, leading them to believe that they lived in the centre of the world. Although the Gobi Desert was an impressive natural boundary, the Great Wall kept China out of reach from raiders and any form of communication in the North. The Great Wall has been known as to be able to see from space, but this is not actually true. Due to the sand and soil that surrounds it, the wall is actually very hard to make out from outside the atmosphere and is barely visible from a closer distance. Though this does not take away from the mystique of the Great Wall of China which has stood for 3000 years, protecting and holding a vast culture in China’s history.
Sadly, as was mentioned at the beginning of the article, the Great Wall is diminishing due to Climate Change, which is a horrible occurrence as it is our fault that such an amazing world wonder is eroding. The erosion has already taken hold and The Beijing Times estimates that 30 percent of the Ming Dynasty wall has been damaged due to human faults. Most of the wall before the Ming Dynasty is nearly gone. Although the Great Wall has sustained significant damage over the years, the Chinese government is now committed to preserving and repairing it. According to surveys, only 8.2 percent of the Great Wall is in good condition. “It’s a great pity to witness the Great Wall in such a devastated situation,” says Mei Jingtian. It has been reported that locals near the Great Wall are taking bricks out of the wall to engrave words or initials and sell to tourists. As the Great Wall stretches across deserts, small mountains and thick jungle it is difficult for Chinese preservation organisations to travel to the eroding parts. Many of the Chinese population hope that the Great Wall will be restored and that humankind can risk even a few factories for the sustainability of the majestic, ancient wall.
