THEMATIC SLIDES
INTRODUCING THE PLANET
Topographic Map of the World
Introduction:
A Story
of Change
A Story
of Change
Provides visual evidence of
environmental changes
taking place around the
world
“A picture is worth a thousand words”
“Seeing is believing”
UNEP’s Best Seller Ever
• A collection of “before and after” historical and
current satellite images on various themes for 80
sites (271 images) around the world
• Over 30 environmental case studies supported
by narratives (93 000 words), images and 215
ground photographs
• A compilation of 66 environmental maps
• 334 page, large format book
Scope and Extent of coverage
• Focus on trends over time
• Significant environmental changes
• Regional and thematic balance
• Landsat series of satellite data as a primary tool
due to the longest historical record of the earth
surface since 1973
Science and Policy
• Intended for informing
- policy makers
- non-governmental organizations
- private sector
- decision makers, etc.
• Provides resources on environmental
change to academics, teachers and
citizens
Focus Areas
• Atmosphere
• Energy consumption & resources extraction
• Urbanization
• Forests, biodiversity
• Croplands
• Grasslands
• Water and coastal regions
• Tundra/Polar regions
Table of Contents
• Introducing the Planet – a story of change
• People and Planet – human influences on the planet
• Human impacts on the planet – visualizing changes
over time
• Natural and human-induced extreme events
• Epilogue
Introduction: Overview
WHAT
- What is happening where?
WHY
- Trend over time is the most compelling information
- Hope images will contribute to change the way we perceive the
environment
HOW
- Story of environmental changes told using current and historical
satellite data, ground photographs and short narratives
The Inspiration…
Apollo Image of the Planet
This view of the Earth from
space helped demonstrate how
finite, interconnected and
fragile our planet is
Inspired Earth Day
Celebration in the United
States
Earth’s Shrinking Biosphere
Currently, the Earth is the only home we have
1900-2000 AD
With each new person added to our growing
population, the amount of our living space
decreases
Land Area
hectare
per/capita
Epilogue
The Conservationist’s Lament
The Technologist’s Reply
MORAL...
MORAL...
The evolutionary plan
Man’s a nuisance
Went astray
Man’s a crackpot
By evolving man
But only man
Can hit the jackpot
Kenneth Boulding in: Thomas, W.L. ed. 1956. Man’s Role
in Changing the Face of the Earth. University of Chicago
Press.
INTRODUCING THE PLANET
One Planet Many People:
Atlas of Our Changing Environment
Thank You!
Free Downloads:
www.na.unep.net
Purchase:
www.Earthprint.com