These Terrifying Maps Show How Much of the World Will Be Underwater if the Polar Ice Caps Melt
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Photo: Samuels Graphics
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Martin Vargic, a graphic designer from Slovakia, created maps that give us a glimpse of what the planet would look like if the polar ice caps melted.
Here’s how much ice we lost between 1980 and 2010.
If the polar ice caps were to melt completely, more than 5 million cubic feet of water would be released into our oceans and sea levels would rise by about 260 feet.
That would swallow a lot of our world as we know it.
The United States would lose most of the East Coast and the entire state of Florida.
![United States](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/United-States.jpg)
Europe wouldn’t be the same without cities like Amsterdam, London, or Berlin.
![Europe](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Europe.jpg)
In South America, the Amazon River become the Amazon Sea!
![South America](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/South-America.jpg)
Australia would look like a donut with lots of bites taken out of it.
![Australia](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Australia.jpg)
North America would be a lot smaller.
![North America](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/North-America.jpg)
Polar bears wouldn’t have a home.
![Antarctica](http://d3819ii77zvwic.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Antarctica.jpg)
Check out more of Vargic’s artwork on his website.
RYOT Note: The future of our planet looks grim according to Vargic’s maps. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to protect the environment. The Environmental Media Association harnesses the power of the entertainment industry and the media to educate the global public on environmental issues and motivate sustainable lifestyles. Click the Action Box to learn more, donate and Become the News!