Wonderworld
A photographic journey of planet Earth
She may look beautiful, but Earth is in danger. The planet just had its warmest winter on record, which comes on the heels of its warmest year. But data shows that the record-warm year of 2014 was no fluke. In fact, 2015 has a decent shot at exceeding the 2014 record, for a back-to-back string of record-warm years.Global warming is affecting the entire planet, from the ice caps of the Arctic and Antarctic, to the depths of the sea and the plains of Africa. The shifting weather patterns, increased heat waves and wildfires, as well as other climate change impacts will affect all of Earth's inhabitants, large and small.By burning fossil fuels for energy, chopping down forests for palm oil and wood products as well as through overfishing the seas, humanity is reshaping the planet in ways it never had before.
Geologists are describing the period the Earth is in as the "anthropocene," an entirely new geological epoch dominated by human influences on the environment.
To truly appreciate what's at stake, it's necessary to view the wonders of the planet — from volcanoes to the mysteries of the deep sea.
"How much time do we have to avoid some irreversible damage? None. It’s run out. Regrettably, some irreversible damage has taken place. But the catastrophic damage that must be avoided can still be avoided. The longer we wait, the harder and more expensive it gets." - <a href="http://sale-online.click/2014/09/18/al-gore-is-hopeful-global-warming/">Al Gore on climate change action, as told to Mashable</a>
"Undoubtedly one of the coolest space sights on Earth." - <a href="http://sale-online.click/2013/05/13/chris-hadfield-top-moments-space/">Cmdr. Chris Hadfield on seeing the Richat Structure from the space station</a>
"Uncertainty is not our friend when it comes to human-caused climate change. It appears to be cutting against us, rather than in our favor, once again." - <a href="http://sale-online.click/2015/03/24/gulf-stream-slowdown-study-tipping-point/">Stefan Rahmstorf, climate scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research</a>
"What I keep imagining is if I am some lonely traveler from another planet what I would think about the Earth at this altitude, whether I think it would be inhabited or not." - <a href="http://www.hq.nasa.gov/pao/History/SP-4205/ch11-6.html">Apollo 8 astronaut James Lovell to Cmdr. Frank Borman during orbit in 1968</a>