A satellite image of a phytoplankton bloom stretching across the Barents Sea off the coast of mainland Europe’s most northern point, Cape Nordkinn. Free-floating phytoplankton highlight the whirls of ocean currents in spectacular shades of blue and green. These microscopic marine organisms that drift on or near the surface of oceans and seas have been called ‘the grass of the sea’ beca…use they are the foundation of the oceanic food chain. Phytoplankton are able to convert inorganic compounds such as water, nitrogen and carbon into complex organic materials. With their ability to ‘digest’ these compounds, they are credited with removing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as their plant ‘cousins’ on land - therefore having a profound influence on climate. They are also sensitive to environmental changes, so it is important to monitor and model phytoplankton into calculations of future climate change. This image was released as part of WWF’s 2012 Living Planet Report © ESA
A satellite image of the Canary Islands with unique cloud formations, created by ‘Von Karman vortices’, off the coast of Africa (right) in the Atlantic Ocean. These vortices, named after aeronautical engineer Theodore von Karman, form as air flows around an object in its path, causing it to separate and create eddies in its wake. The clockwise and counter-clockwise spirals in this image were created as wind blowing from the north over the Atlantic was disturbed by the archipelago. The islands are (left to right): El Hierro, La Palma, La Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. © ESA
Satellite image of Holbox Island and the Yalahau Lagoon on the northeast corner of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. A series of images have been released for WWF’s 2012 Living Planet Report © KARI / ESA
SIGN IT ehour.me/vetodilma SHARE IT SAVE IT
Sign it ehour.me/vetodilma Share It. Save It.
The Amazon rainforest as seen from space - this image was shared exclusively with the Earth Hour community as Hora Do Planeta hit Brazil on March 31. This year, the Rio+20 Earth Summit will take place between 20 - 22 June 2012, focusing on sustainable development poverty eradication; and the institutional framework for sustainable development. Greenpeace International Exectutive Director Kumi Naidoo will dye his beard green for Rio+20 because 10,000 people accepted his IWIYW challenge to support Earth Hour. (Image ESA/NASA)
As Earth Hour made its way across the Middle East, we shared this exclusive image of the fertile Nile River in Egypt as seen from space. Andre Kuipers observed Earth Hour from the International Space Station for the first time in 2012. The images of our planet were shown over the Earth Hour weekend to give some perspective as to what it is we’re trying to save by going beyond the hour each year. Isn’t our world beautiful? (Image ESA/NASA)
One week to go until Earth Hour 2012
Dare the World to Save the Planet at YouTube.com/EarthHour
World record holder Heather Swan takes a leap for Earth Hour
Dual world record holding wingsuit pilot, mountaineer, writer and adventure photographer Heather Swan will leap off a cliff to show her support for Earth Hour. Swan’s IWIYW challenge will see her BASE jump from a mystery precipice if 1000 people go vegetarian for a week.
“Going vegetarian is not only the best thing you can do for the planet and the other sentient creatures we share it with, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself,” Swan says. “Done well a vegetarian diet is not only healthier, it’s happier.”
Isabel Lucas’ IWIYW video for Earth Hour
The simplicity and beauty of caring for nature… check out this dreamy IWIYW video from Australian actress Isabel Lucas, shot in Los Angeles. Accept Isabel’s Challenge
Earth hour Kids’ ambassador ups his IWIYW challenge
Pocoyo, the official kids’ ambassador for Earth Hour has decided to step up his IWIYW challenge for Earth Hour. Pocoyo will now plant 50,000 trees if he reaches 100,000 plays on his recycling game
Flickr Countdown to Earth Hour
19 days to go
Indonesia
Beyond the Hour - 60+ firelight sign for Earth Hour 2011 in Bandung, Indonesia. This image is also the official Earth Hour Facebook Timeline Cover.
© WWF/Jody Spectrum
Ever wondered why we do Earth Hour? Less than three weeks away, we thought we’d give you a reminder.
WE CAN SAVE - Earth Hour in Greece gets personal
In times of difficulty, where does one look for inspiration? Where shall one find the antidote to sadness? The answer for Greece is where life flourishes. Given the global economic crisis, WWF Greece is getting personal with its Earth Hour 2012 campaign. People are invited to participate with their own message, one of support of saving the natural environment to protect a lot more.
Flickr Countdown to Earth Hour
28 days to go
Japan
Earth Hour observers in Tokyo observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims. The Official Earth Hour 2011 t-shirts included the phrase “Have Courage Japan”. WWF Japan has since begun a 100% Renewable Energy Future Campaign that calls for no new construction of nuclear power plants and the gradual closure of Japan’s 54 existing plants as they reach the end of their operational lifespan.
