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Sunday, April 14, 2013

1992 - 2010

1992 - 2010
http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2012/03/night_lights_in_europe/10102843-2-eng-GB/Night_lights_in_Europe_large_gif.gif
Bright areas highly correlate with high population density – such as the densely populated cities like London, Paris and Rome.
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Coastal areas are also more populated than inland regions, making the outline of Europe clearly visible in these night images.
Increased illumination in the second image is also an indicator of economic growth.  
For example, lights in Poland in 1992 appear dim, but are multiplied in the 2010 image.  Over that 18-year period, the country’s gross domestic product jumped some $377 billion.
 
This is evident in all areas pictured in the animation.
But by indicating population and economic growth, bright spots on these images also represent areas of high energy consumption, emissions and pollution – factors that greatly contribute to climate change.
 

On 31 March, millions of people around the world will switch off their lights for 60 minutes in a demonstration against climate change and to promote a more sustainable lifestyle.

This sixth annual 'Earth Hour' is organized by the World Wildlife Fund and supported by ESA. 

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