Earth Day 2018 Photos: NASA Images From Space Show Climate Change's Impact on Our Planet
In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Earth as seen from a distance of one million miles by a NASA scientific camera aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory spacecraft on July...In this handout provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Earth as seen from a distance of one million miles by a NASA scientific camera aboard the Deep Space Climate Observatory spacecraft on July 6, 2015. NASA via Getty Images
As the world celebrates Earth Day 2018, NASA images put into perspective how much the Earth has changes as a result of climate change. These satellite photographs show how climate change has affected our blue planet, and warn of what we have to lose if current global warming rates continue.
Mumbai's mangroves March 19, 1988. The dark green areas flanking the creek are mangrove forests, which play an important role in flood control, water quality and wildlife habitat. Mumbai's mangroves March 19, 1988. The dark green areas flanking the creek are mangrove forests, which play an important role in flood control, water quality and wildlife habitat. NASA Earth Observatory
Mumbai's mangroves January 30, 2017. Urban development has encroached on the forests, but as sediment buildup reduced the width of the waterway, the mangroves spread into the newly deposited land, reducing the net loss.Mumbai's mangroves January 30, 2017. Urban development has encroached on the forests, but as sediment buildup reduced the width of the waterway, the mangroves spread into the newly deposited land, reducing the net loss.NASA Earth Observatory
Climate change refers to how weather patterns, whether regional or on a global level, have changed for an extended period of time. Climate change has happened throughout history due to natural changes in greenhouse gas levels, NASA reported. However, amounting science suggests that the current weather pattern changes Earth is experiencing are a direct result of human influence.
Greenland’s Tracy and Heilprin glaciers September 28, 1987. Tracy and Heilprin are the two largest glaciers that drain into Inglefield Bredning, a fjord on Greenland’s northwestern coast. Tracy’s loss rate zoomed to about 1,194 feet...Greenland’s Tracy and Heilprin glaciers September 28, 1987. Tracy and Heilprin are the two largest glaciers that drain into Inglefield Bredning, a fjord on Greenland’s northwestern coast. Tracy’s loss rate zoomed to about 1,194 feet (364 meters) per year, more than three times as fast as Heilprin’s 358 feet (109 meters) per year. NASA Earth Observatory
Greenland’s Tracy and Heilprin glaciers September 30, 2017. Greenland's glaciers are melting as the seawater beneath them warms. Greenland’s Tracy and Heilprin glaciers September 30, 2017. Greenland's glaciers are melting as the seawater beneath them warms. NASA Earth Observatory
Glacier loss in New Guinea November 3, 1988. The ice appears as blue in these false color images. Glacier loss in New Guinea November 3, 1988. The ice appears as blue in these false color images. NASA Earth Observatory
Glacier loss in new guinea December 5, 2017. The ice on the peaks of the Sudirman Range of mountains on New Guinea has greatly diminished. Glacier loss in new guinea December 5, 2017. The ice on the peaks of the Sudirman Range of mountains on New Guinea has greatly diminished. NASA Earth Observatory
The weather pattern changes that result due to climate change have serious implications for life on Earth. For example, temperature rising, warmer oceans, melting ice sheets, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events have a direct and adverse effect on humans and non human populations.
Walker Lake, Nevada October 22 1988. Nevada’s Walker Lake has lost 90 percent of its volume since about a century ago.Walker Lake, Nevada October 22 1988. Nevada’s Walker Lake has lost 90 percent of its volume since about a century ago.NASA Earth Observatory
Walker Lake, Nevada October 22, 2017. As the inflow of freshwater has declined over the years, the concentration of salt and other dissolved solids has increased. Walker Lake, Nevada October 22, 2017. As the inflow of freshwater has declined over the years, the concentration of salt and other dissolved solids has increased. NASA Earth Observatory
In their "Images of Change" NASA captured exactly what climate change looks like over an extended period of time when photographed by satellites. From the melting of Greenland's Tracy and Heilprin glaciers, to the shrinking of Walker Lake in Nevada, the images are haunting. According to the government agency, if change isn't made fast, Earth may reach a tipping point from which it is unable to recover.
South Patagonian Glacier January 27, 1985. The South Patagonian Ice Field spans about 5,000 square miles (13,000 square kilometers) across Chile and Argentina, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest contiguous ice field outside of Antarctica.South Patagonian Glacier January 27, 1985. The South Patagonian Ice Field spans about 5,000 square miles (13,000 square kilometers) across Chile and Argentina, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest contiguous ice field outside of Antarctica.NASA Earth Observatory
South Patagonian Glacier February 4, 2017. The glacier shown here, designated “HPS-12,” has shrunk from 16 miles (26 kilometers) long in 1985 to 8 miles (13 kilometers) in 2017, detaching from three other glaciers in...South Patagonian Glacier February 4, 2017. The glacier shown here, designated “HPS-12,” has shrunk from 16 miles (26 kilometers) long in 1985 to 8 miles (13 kilometers) in 2017, detaching from three other glaciers in the process.NASA Earth Observatory
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
