From space, Earth is an amazing sight splashed with vivid colours, patterns, textures and abstract forms. In addition, our planet seen from above can provide telling information about the health of our home and its ecosystems. This book features more than 150 breathtaking satellite photographs, provided by Astrium, a global leader in satellite photography. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the renowned aerial photographer and devoted environmental activist, introduces the collection by exploring some of the serious issues facing our planet, all visible from space: deforestation, urban sprawl, intensive farming, pollution, natural disasters, and much more. The striking high-resolution images are made meaningful by texts that reveal fascinating information about a wide range of environmental issues, such as the evolution of vegetation around the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, snow loss on Mount Kilimanjaro, and the health of penguin populations. Interviews with scientists, activists and experts offer cutting-edge information on critical environmental and sociological issues, and suggest the many exciting, newly developed methods for using satellite images to predict and prevent problems, rather than simply documenting their impact. The Earth from Space’s revelatory selection of photographs raises important questions about our future, while also showcasing the planet’s beauty – leaving us in no doubt that it is something crucial to protect.
