AP PHOTOS: Glimpses of a Changing Earth, as Seen From Above
is what happens to forests. Forests are being destroyed at an alarming rate.
The Earth from above is charred, drained, or swamped. It may be blue, green, or dusty. The footprints of humans are visible on the surface of the Earth as the world celebrates Earth Day this Saturday. In the future, people's relationship with nature will be a major issue. Climate change has altered weather patterns in Iraq. As a result, the lakes have dried up and shrunk. In Florida, there is the opposite issue: too much rain clogs up roads and neighborhoods and traps cars and people. The burning of fossil fuels has also contributed to the erratic weather conditions. Skyscrapers soar in Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, while in Guyana, gold deposits are dug deep in the earth by excavators. Surfers in California ride the waves of the ocean. Solar panels float on ponds in New Jersey and fishing nets are sunk into lakes in India. In Utah, residents find water flowing through their homes and streets where it shouldn't. Climate change is changing the patterns of weather on land. Farmers are at the mercy of the weather. In Argentina, parched land turns crops gray. After months with little or no rain, there are new, cracked water beds outside Barcelona. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and marked the beginning of an environmental movement encouraging people to protect nature. It also calls for action against climate change which has increased in the last few decades.
Scientists warn that burning fossil fuels heats the earth and brings us closer to exceeding the international warming limits, which could have serious effects such as increased extreme weather events.
Around the globe, activists of every age continue to put pressure on companies and governments to do more in order to combat climate change and protect the environment.
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