Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. HOMEPAGE

This astronaut’s image from space reminds us how fragile the Earth's climate is

Astronaut Scott Kelly captured this stunning photo of Paris from space as world leaders gather in the city this week to discuss the growing problem of climate change:

Advertisement

Representatives from 190 countries are in Paris for the United Nations Climate Summit (called COP21).

Their goal is to reach an international agreement to cut emissions and stop global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures. Any rise beyond that could bring devastating consequences like rising sea levels, extinctions, and a spike in destructive weather.

paris from space
NASA/Scott Kelly

If we don't act immediately, it may be too late to reverse the effects of climate change.

Kelly reminded us just how fragile the Earth's climate is when he tweeted the picture of Paris:

Advertisement
Screen Shot 2015 11 30 at 5.23.33 PM
Twitter/Scott Kelly/NASA

All we have is that thin layer of atmosphere to protect us from dangerous radiation from space, and to keep our planet habitable.

And it really is thin — Earth's diameter spans about 8,000 miles, but its atmosphere is only about 60 miles thick. As NASA explains, "If the Earth were the size of a basketball, the thickness of the atmosphere could be modeled by a thin sheet of plastic wrapped around the ball."

That's why it appears as just a thin blue line over the Earth.

It will take a global effort to stop pumping harmful emissions into it, and the climate talks in Paris could finally put us on the right track.

NASA Space Paris
Advertisement
Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Jump to

  1. Main content
  2. Search
  3. Account