permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lfl@intrex.net>]

<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4745963.stm>


Shuttle crew see damage on Earth
Earth viewed from the Space Shuttle complex, Getty Images
Eileen Collins says the Earth's atmosphere looks eggshell thin
Discovery Commander Eileen Collins described on Thursday how widespread 
environmental destruction on Earth is highly visible from the shuttle.

She warned people to take greater care of our planet and work towards 
protecting natural resources.

Her comments came as Nasa considered whether to send astronauts on an 
extra spacewalk to repair shuttle damage.

Discovery is currently linked with the International Space Station, 
orbiting 352km (220 miles) above the Earth.

"Sometimes you can see how there is erosion, and you can see how there 
is deforestation," Commander Collins said during a conversation from 
space with Japanese officials in Tokyo, including Prime Minister 
Junichiro Koizumi.

        
We know that we don't have much air - we need to protect what we have
Commander Eileen Collins
"It's very widespread in some parts of the world. We would like to see, 
from the astronauts' point of view, people take good care of the Earth 
and replace the resources that have been used."

"Thin as eggshell"

Commander Collins, who is making her fourth shuttle flight, said her 
view from space emphasised how Earth's atmosphere must be protected too.

"The atmosphere almost looks like an eggshell on an egg, it's so very 
thin," she said. "We know that we don't have much air - we need to 
protect what we have."

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