Take the time to consider the interstellar perspective of the human position in the universe, reflect on our incredible position of the earth in the universe, as an inspiration and remind us why we need to do our best not to mess it up.
Before COP26, I had never attended a climate summit, and my experience in Glasgow has proven to be a frustrating reality test of the state of destruction of our planet. I haven’t encountered anyone responding to Cop26, even a little mention of positivity.
Michael Burton, from Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, short film director, Our place in the universeDuring the meeting, the leader of the Green Zone of the Glasgow Science Center discussed and introduced his new film.
Refreshing
His films are shown in 360 degrees on the 15-meter dome of the newly reopened planetarium, providing a truly immersive experience.
In the doom and gloom of the climate summit last week, my experience in the planetarium was refreshing. Michael Burton’s film explains the fragile position of the Earth in the solar system relative to the sun, the Milky Way, and the universe—making it the only known life-sustaining planet.
Participants in the planetarium sat on the loungers under the dome to watch the movie hover over the earth and zoom in and out of the solar system, showing different aspects of the universe.
Our planet is located in the Milky Way, and is almost unaffected by violent activities such as supernovae. Our magnetic field from the axis of the earth is very important for protecting the earth.
A listener asked about the potential of Mars transformation. Michael Burton’s answer was to emphasize the need to control carbon emissions on this planet before studying how to create life on another planet.
Heartbreaking
The location of the earth is so magnificent that it has been able to sustain billions of years of life, and watched by global leaders not only shortening the life of the earth for selfish temporary economic benefits, but also failing to meet the challenge of reducing carbon emissions. , It’s heartbreaking.
The story of our place in the universe explains the urgent need to control global warming. This short film shows how Venus, Earth, and Mars shared similar characteristics during the first 600 million years of life in Pluto.
Their subsequent evolution followed a very different path and reminded people why the earth is so unique to the solar system.
Venus once had a large ocean, and over time these oceans evaporated to form the thick atmosphere that exists today, making the earth so warm. Mars also has water, and scientists have been arguing about where the water is going for decades.
Studies have shown that due to the thin atmosphere, the solar wind can decompose some water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Newer research shows that most of the water remains in minerals and salts deep in Martian rocks.
Short-lived
Venus and Mars are the two closest planets to the earth. Initially, these three planets are lava and volcanoes, which means they cannot sustain life.
Now, the average temperature on the surface of Venus is 461 degrees Celsius, while the average temperature on Mars is minus 46 degrees Celsius. This makes the earth an incredibly unique temperature that can sustain many life forms for centuries.
The different evolutions of planets remind us of the wonderful existence of the earth.
The experience of watching the film is in stark contrast to the rest of the COP26 conference. One of the other events I participated in was a group of activists from Fridays For Future Scotland. The five teenagers told them that they felt they had no choice but to call on the government’s inaction on climate collapse as a priority, rather than focusing on their own education.
We need to remind global leaders that it is too late to resolve the climate crisis. Action must be taken, even if there is a price to pay. In the grand plan of human survival, are the increasing financial gains of the world’s richest people too high to pay the price?
This author
Ruby Harbour is the editorial assistant Ecologist.
