Earth and Nature

Earth

Definition:

3rd planet from Sun: the third planet in order from the Sun with an orbital period of 365.26 days, a diameter of 12,756 km (7,926 mi), and an average distance from the Sun of 149,600,000 km (93,000,000 mi.) Surrounded by an atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen, it is the only planet in the universe known to support life. 2. land: the solid dry land surface of Earth, as opposed to the sea or sky; 3. soil: the soft workable material in which plants grow; 4. human inhabitants of Earth: all the human inhabitants of Earth ( formal )

Nature

Definition:

1. physical world: the physical world including all natural phenomena and living things

2. forces controlling physical world: the forces and processes collectively that control the phenomena of the physical world independently of human volition or intervention, sometimes personified as a woman called “Mother Nature.” See also  Mother Nature

3. countryside: the countryside or the environment in a condition relatively unaffected by human activity or as the home of living things other than human beings

4. type: a type or sort of thing a detective novel or something of that nature

5. intrinsic qualities of something or somebody: the intrinsic or essential qualities of somebody or something the intricate nature of this kind of work

6. temperament: disposition or temperament in a person It’s just not part of his nature to act unkindly.

7. real appearance or aspect: the appearance or aspect of a person, place, or thing that is considered to reflect reality The portrait was remarkably true to nature.

8. primitive existence: a basic state of existence, untouched and uninfluenced by civilization

9. natural state of humankind: the natural and original condition of humankind, as distinguished from a state of grace

10. universal human behavior: the patterns of behavior or the moral standards that are considered to be universally found and recognized among human beings

11. genetic material affecting organism: the inherited characteristics of an organism, as opposed to what is learned from experience or the environment nature versus nurture

[13th century. Via Old French< Latin natura "birth, nature" < nasci"be born"]

“There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth.  We are all crew.” Marshall McLuhan

“As scientists, we understand the dangers of nuclear weapons and their devastating effects, and we are learning how human activities and technologies are affecting climate systems in ways that may forever change life on Earth. As citizens of the world, we have a duty to alert the public to the unnecessary risks that we live with every day, and to the perils we foresee if governments and societies do not take action now to render nuclear weapons obsolete and to prevent further climate change… There’s a realization that we are changing our climate for the worse. That would have catastrophic effects. Although the threat is not as dire as that of nuclear weapons right now, in the long term we are looking at a serious threat.” Stephen Hawking, Scientist

“When the people call Earth ‘Mother,’ they take with love and with love give back so that all may live.” ~ Marilou Awiakta (Seeking the Corn-Mother’s Wisdom)