There are so many beautiful places all over the globe to celebrate, and no two are quite alike. From the medicines that come from the rainforest to the lakes and streams that serve as our freshwater sources, there is no doubt that our well-being is interwoven with that of the environment. However, human impact has stressed many of these environments through pollution, mining, deforestation and changing climates.

The ten locations that follow are both stunning to the eye and biologically diverse. Many have a relatively low human impact due to lower population density or because of their remote location.

Today, these places appear to us as nature in its purest form, but how will they look tomorrow if we do not stand up to companies that are damaging our common home.

In order to protect these pristine conditions, we must take ownership of our own conservation and environmental efforts. From avoiding excessive plastic use to contacting your local representatives to demand change, the future of the environment is in our hands. Let us reflect upon what we are lucky to have on behalf of the planet, but more importantly, to recognise the importance and urgency in continuing to protect it.

1. The Rainforests of Papua New Guinea

© Markus Mauthe / Greenpeace

Areas of rainforest in Papua New Guinea remain relatively untouched by humans due to a spans of protected areas. Local communities have taken the initiative to keep control of their natural resources, and as a result the biodiversity has flourished for many years. Sadly, today, more than 60% of Papua New Guinea’s ancient forests have been lost to deforestation. And in Australia, we are part of the problem. Read more here.

2. The Galapagos Islands

© John Goldblatt / Greenpeace

The Galapagos Islands are home to incredible biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. The endemic species of these islands were famously studied by naturalist Charles Darwin, and many of these species are found nowhere else in the world. The Ecuadorian government has created many initiatives to continue protecting this valuable ecosystem, such as a visitor management system that helps to monitor and halt invasive species introduction.

3. Seychelles

Photo by Alin Meceanu on Unsplash

A picturesque white sand beach in the Seychelles perfectly depicts the pristine landscape that is found all throughout this particular archipelago. Found off the eastern coast of Africa, the local government has instituted many marine protected areas which have been successful in warding off illegal fishing.

4. Namibia

Photo by jean wimmerlin on Unsplash

Located in Southern Africa, Namibia is one of the only countries to have a commitment to conservation outlined in its constitution. The country has also had great success in fighting poaching, as government organisations and the private sector have joined efforts to achieve greater environmental protection.

5. Antarctica

© Paul Hilton / Greenpeace

Only inhabited by its indigenous wildlife and a small number of scientists, Antarctica is the only continent on earth without its own native population. The almost entirely undeveloped landscape accommodates a limited number of hardy native species, such as the elephant seal, humpback whale, and emperor penguins. Additionally, there is a surprisingly high amount of plant diversity in the Antarctic, including numerous well-adapted moss and lichen species.

Sadly, the impacts of climate change and industrial-scale fishing operations are placing increasing pressure on this unique ecosystem.

6. The Great Australian Bight

© Ella Colley / Greenpeace

The Great Australian Bight, an open bay off the central and western portions of the southern coastline of mainland Australia, is home to dozens of seaside communities, majestic southern right whales, sea lions and hundreds of kilometres of towering cliffs. The Bight is also a breeding ground for many unique species, and 85% of Great Australian Bight marine life is found nowhere else on earth. 

7. Tanzania

© Roberto Isotti / A.Cambone / Homo ambiens / Greenpeace

Community based wildlife protection in Tanzania helps to maintain overall biodiversity of the East African country. Pictured here, an African bush elephant walks throughout Ngoro-ngoro National Park, Tanzania. Establishment of Wildlife Management Areas has helped to protect this elephant and many other species from poaching and habitat loss.

8. Jujuy Province, Argentina

© Martin Katz / Greenpeace

Located in the northernmost areas of Argentina, the Jujuy Province is home to a vast landscape of jungles, kilometres of salt flats, and towering mountain ranges. Pictured here is the Calilegua National Park, a federally protected area that is one of the most biologically diverse regions in the country. Transpiration from the dense forest vegetation creates low-lying clouds that weave their way through the treetops, as pictured above. Unfortunately, has been a history of being a target for oil exploration.

9. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

© Greenpeace

Full of vast mountain ranges and snow-covered peaks, Jasper National Park is the largest National Park in the Canadian Rockies. It is also home to healthy populations of rare North American fauna, such as grizzly bears, moose, caribou and wolves. 

10. Bear Island, Norway

© Mitja Kobal / Greenpeace

Bear Island, the southernmost island in the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, is a federally protected area that is uninhabited and undeveloped by humans. Native species and large seabird colonies can be found on the island, oftentimes captured circling the steep cliffs. Bear Island also is dotted with glacial formations, caverns, and isolated rock pillars.

The wonder and beauty of our natural world cannot be captured in a mere ten photos, yet these images help to remind us what is at stake. World Environment Day is a powerful reminder and call to action for us all. We can all take steps to be a better citizen of the Earth, and can play a role in calling upon our decision-makers do the same. 

Greenpeace is no stranger to rainbows. Synonymous with breaking boundaries and fearless campaigning, they’ve been our emblem of hope and diversity on all of our ships since we began back in 1971. We even named our flagship the Rainbow Warrior.

So as we continue to party our way through WorldPride, and wave our rainbow flags to celebrate our LGBTQIA+ crew and supporters from across the world, we thought, why should our wildlife miss out on all the fun?!

Here are just a few of our favourite queer creatures:

Penguins 

Monogamous romance is alive and well within penguin colonies, and many penguin species (including Adelie, King, and African penguins) have been observed by scientists over decades spreading same-sex love and courtship.

Elephants

Both African and Asian elephants have been found to cultivate loving same-sex partnerships with one another, in and outside the bedroom.

Elephants will affectionately interact with their partners by touching mouths (aka kissing),  intertwining trunks, and grooming each other.

We’re not crying, you’re crying! 

Dolphins

As fabulous as they are flamboyant, bisexuality is commonly observed amongst both male and female bottlenose dolphins.

In fact, it’s thought that all male bottlenose dolphins are bisexual!

Albatross 

Much like penguins, albatross are largely monogamous and are even well-known to loudly celebrate when reuniting with their life partner following a long absence. Stop it!

And much else like penguins, same-sex female partnerships are a common occurrence. In fact, one study of Laysan albatross in Oahu, Hawaii, showed that one-third of lifelong pairs were female same-sex couples.

Gorillas

Some of our closest living relatives, human beings share 98% of our DNA with gorillas. So it should be a surprise to exactly no one that homosexuality has been observed amongst all three gorilla subspecies; the western lowland gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla, and the mountain gorilla. Love is love!

Seahorses 

Not only have seahorses been defying gender roles through male pregnancies and embryo incubation in a pouch located on their tail, but they are also not as monogamous (or straight!) as once thought either.

Recent studies have indicated that seahorses will engage in same-sex courtships, and spend the rest of their day flirting with many other potential partners.

The biggest flirt was the Australian seahorse – in case you were wondering.

Clownfish

Did you know all clownfish are actually born male? And in a school (one male, one female and juvenile males) when the dominant female dies, the dominant male will take its place and become female, and a juvenile male will move up the ranks to become the dominant male.

Finding Nemo 3, anyone?

Nudibranch

Last, but certainly not least, is the nudibranch, a tiny marine mollusc found in tropical waters like the Great Barrier Reef.

Fondly known as the ‘butterflies of the sea’, if their bright colours weren’t #worldpride enough for you, what if we told you they simply defy constraints of gender altogether?

Yup! Nudibranchs are hermaphrodites, meaning each is both male and female at the same time. During mating, they will simultaneously adopt ‘male roles’ as sperm donors, and ‘female roles’ as sperm recipients.

Today’s current debate over climate change can leave us feeling a little low. News of climate catastrophe is everywhere, and the devastation is not just environmental. Eco-anxiety is understandable when we see that our natural world is in crisis. After all, we are part of this Earth and its natural life, aren’t we?

Today’s current debate over climate change can leave us feeling a little low. News of climate catastrophe is everywhere, and the devastation is not just environmental. Eco-anxiety is understandable when we see that our natural world is in crisis. After all, we are part of this Earth and its natural life, aren’t we?

Our ecological reality is frightening because we know what is at stake. However, history is a powerful reminder of what we can do.  The current climate crisis won’t go down without a fight.

Here are ten heart-warming moments to remind you that hope is not lost, that the Earth is not beyond repair, and that we can and will save its magnificence.

1. This little guy in Tanjung Putting National Park

2. This. Just. This

(Credit: Markus Mathe / Greenpeace)

3. Two words….School Strikes 

(Credit: Eric De Mildt / Greenpeace)

4. All these people

(Bernd Arnold / Greenpeace)

5. This action?!

(Martin Katz / Greenpeace)

6. Look, this is pretty amazing 

7. Lil bobbing Angels!

8. BABY

9. Emma <3

(Credit: Will Rose / Greenpeace)

10. This is worth saving….

I live in Sydney so I’m always pretty close to a beach, and am lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time in the ocean. Working at Greenpeace on oceans issues, I also spend a lot of time thinking about them. It is the nature of our role to highlight the issues that affect the world around us, but every so often it’s important to just stop, and smell the sea air.

As it turns out, there are lots of other ocean lovers out there, maybe you’re one too as you clicked to see these photos?

Earlier this year we ran a photography competition with an online community of photographers, and many of the photos above are from that. Once we started posting them to our Instagram account lots of other people got in touch with their beautiful photos as well, and the project snowballed from there.

Greenpeace has always understood the importance of showing what’s happening. I really like the approach as it makes it easier to understand an issue, and has always inspired me to get involved.

As a non-violent organisation, we believe in ‘mind bombs‘ that jostle all of us out of complacency and open our eyes to the bigger picture. Whether our activists are locking themselves to forest clearing machinery, or dangling from a bridge to stop an oil rig en route to destroy the Arctic, we know that if we can get the right image of the action, people will feel like they are there with us, and the passion and optimism for a better world might just go viral. For instance there are now 8m of us taking action together to move away from fossil fuels, to a bright green future with renewable energy.

These photos recharge my passion for what we have to do. It’s important to remember the beauty of what we’re striving to protect.
And, possibly even more importantly, we have to remember that over and over again, all around the world, we’re winning!

Enjoy the photos, and for a bit more inspiration, check out this short film we put together:

Today, in a world saturated by images, a photograph still has the power to move one to action. We take a look back through the lens at some of the Greenpeace images that have helped to change the world for the better.

In 1971, the environment movement became a modern cultural phenomenon with the formation of Greenpeace. Since then, the world has seen the environment become one of the planet’s major concerns – never more so than today when we face catastrophic climate change.

This is a photographic record by Robert Keziere of the very first Greenpeace voyage, which departed Vancouver on the 15 September 1971. The aim of the trip was to halt nuclear tests in Amchitka Island by sailing into the restricted area.

The crew on board the ship formed the original group that became Greenpeace. Clockwise from top left, they are: Hunter, Moore, Cummings, Metcalfe, Birmingham, Cormack, Darnell, Simmons, Bohlen, Thurston, and Fineberg.

Non-Violent Direct Action was foundational to Greenpeace as it became a movement of people willing to put their lives on the line for a greater good.

In this photo, Greenpeace activists in inflatable boats protest against the dumping of nuclear waste by dumpship Rijnborg. Two barrels are dropped from the dump ship on top of a Greenpeace inflatable causing it to capsize and seriously injure Willem Groenier, the pilot of the inflatable.

The dumping of nuclear waste at sea is now illegal thanks to actions such as these.

In 1985, the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior was bombed by French secret service agents, tragically killing Greenpeace photographer Fernando Pereira. The ship and crew were in Auckland protesting nuclear testing in the Pacific.

The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior caused global headlines, making people around the world realise the powerful forces that groups like Greenpeace were up against.

After a long and seemingly impossible campaign, Antarctica was declared a World Park, proving that dedication and never giving up will deliver results. This photo captures the final day of establishing the World Park Base in 1992.

This photo depicts Greenpeace’s second occupation of Shell’s disused North Sea oil installation in two months in 1995.

With the campaign against the Brent Spar oil platform we saw how good strategies and determined action can change the world – the dumping of toxic materials in the North Sea is now banned.

Greenpeace brought the reality of whaling to the world – and photography was an incredibly powerful medium for this communication. Here, a Greenpeace inflatable boat hooks onto a Japanese whaling boat while it is pulling a caught whale on board.

Here, a small Chinese child is sitting among cables and e-waste, in Guiyu, China. This photo helped bring the world’s eyes to the impacts of electronic waste.

Much of modern electronic equipment contains toxic ingredients. Vast amounts are routinely and often illegally shipped as waste from Europe, USA and Japan to countries in Asia as it is easier and cheaper to dump the problem on poorer countries with lower environmental standards.

This practice exposes the workers and communities involved in dismantling e-waste to serious, environmental problems, danger and health hazards. Greenpeace is strongly urging major manufactures to exclude toxic materials from their products.

This activist, part of the 2007 Kingsnorth action in the UK, went through a lengthy and historic trial resulting in acquittal.

In the trial, the judge summated that the activists were taking action for the greater good of humanity by preventing CO2 emissions. The case has since been used as a precedent and shows a shift towards global climate justice.

In 2010, workers attempting to fix an underwater pump after a pipeline blast at the Dalian Port, China, ran into trouble. During oil spill cleanup operations, the workers struggled in thick oil slick, and tragically, one firefighter was killed.

This image travelled the world as a defining photo of the dangers faced by workers associated with extractive industry.

Diver Joel Gonzaga of the Philippine purse seiner ‘Vergene’ at work using only a single air compressor hose to the surface, in and around a skipjack tuna purse seine net, in the international waters of high seas pocket.

Fish stocks are plummeting around the world, especially tuna stocks. Photos like this help capture and communicate the impact of overfishing.

This powerful photograph shows adult brown pelicans waiting in a holding pen to be cleaned by volunteers at the Fort Jackson International Bird Rescue Research Center in Buras.

These birds were covered in oil from the Deepwater Horizon wellhead disaster. The BP-leased Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded on 20 April and sank after burning.

Greenpeace is a movement of people like you, standing up for our forests, oceans, and climate.Together, we’re working towards a green and peaceful future where humans intellect results in sustainable innovation, not greed and destruction.

Around 2,000 people gathered to un-welcome Shell’s Arctic drilling rig to Seattle on May 16th! Passionate activists and volunteers took to the water in Seattle in a mass flotilla to say #ShellNo to Arctic drilling.

A truly inspirational spectacle saw people come out in kayaks, canoes, zodiacs, sailing boats — and many more protested from on shore.

Check out the photos from below and take action to protect the precious Arctic from climate change and oil exploration.

There are some places on this Earth that are so important and fragile they should be protected at all costs. The Arctic is one of those places. It may seem far away but the health of the Arctic affects every person on this planet. It acts as the Earth’s heart, regulating our climate and circulating the ocean currents.

Polar bears, walruses and narwhals are struggling to survive in a melting Arctic. Meanwhile oil companies like Shell are rushing in to extract previously inaccessible oil reserves, and coal companies are forging ahead to dramatically increase Australia’s coal production, putting the health of this pristine area at risk.

This weekend’s kayak rally in Seattle marked a giant turning point in the #PeopleVsShell movement.

In this critical moment, the Arctic needs your voice. Become a climate hero — get started today!

For decades, NASA has been monitoring the changes we’ve made to our world in its series Images of Change. While some photos are taken over fifty years apart, some of the most breathtaking changes can be seen in a decade or less. Take a look at these 11 photographs and learn about the impact we’ve made on our home.

1. The shrinking Aral Sea in Central Asia

The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest lake in the world. Now, the body of water has split into the Northern and Southern Aral seas – the eastern lobe drying up completely in 2014. According to NASA, the loss of this water has meant the region experiences colder winters and hotter and drier summers.

2. The impact of drought on Arizona and Utah, USA

These photos compare Lake Powell’s water level near full capacity in 1999, and in May 2014, when it had dropped to 42% of capacity.

3. The unbelievable impact of urban growth in Texas, USA

San Antonio has seen incredible growth in the last two decades. According to NASA, San Antonio has grown faster than all but three other American cities in this period, reaching a 1.4 million population in 2010.

4. The rapid growth of Manila, Philippines

The Philippine capital of Manila has also seen whirlwind growth, and is now the most densely populated city in the world. According to NASA, the Pasig River which cuts through this area is one of the most polluted in the world.

5. Devastating deforestation in Argentina

Between 1998 and 2002, the Province of Salta in Argentina lost over 194,000 hectares of forest. The primary reason for this deforestation is the advance of agriculture.

6. Tracking deforestation in Bolivia

Here, NASA has tracked the impact of resettlement and agricultural development on these forests of Bolivia.

7. Ice melt in the Alps

Here’s what’s happened to the incredible Matterhorn mountain on the border of Italy and Switzerland in the Alps.

8. The melting of the Northwestern Glacier in Alaska, USA

According to NASA, with a few exceptions, glaciers around the world have retreated at unprecedented rates over the last century.

9. The disappearing ice in the Qori Kalis glacier, Peru

In 1978, the Qori Kalis glacier was still advancing. But by 2011, it had retreated completely back to land.

10. The impact of global warming, worldwide

These maps track global temperature changes between the 19th century and early 21st century. According to NASA, Earth’s average surface temperature has increased by about 0.7 °C (1.3 °F) since 1880, with two-thirds of the warming has occurred since 1975, at a rate of roughly 0.15 to 0.20 °C per decade.

Think this change is massive and alarming? Take action now to protect our precious environment.

On March 13 and 14, Cyclone Pam tore through the island nations of Vanuatu, Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands. This aerial photos reveal the devastating impacts of Vanuatu’s worst natural disaster in memory. Photography © DigitalGlobe

A woman inspects the remains of her house in Albay, Philippines, devastated by typhoon Reming. More than 1,000 people died in the 2006 disaster. Photo © Greenpeace / Ivan Sarenas

In 2007, the Indonesian Environment Minister announced that about 2,000 of his nation’s islands are expected to drown with sea level rise. Most Indonesians, like these children of Panggang island, Kepulaun Seribu, are unaware of dire climate change predictions. Photo © Greenpeace / Shailendra Yashwant

Dr Peter Harrison from Southern Cross University documents bleached coral in the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef supports a $5 billion tourism industry and 60,000 jobs. But increases in ocean temperature and acidification are likely to devastate much of the reef by mid-century. Photo © Greenpeace / Michael Amendolia

The Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria were Australia’s worst ever natural disaster. 173 people died in the unstoppable inferno of early 2009. Scientists say extreme fire conditions will increase with climate change. Photo © Greenpeace / Dean Sewell

With rising sea levels, the ocean is reclaiming the Pacific island of Kiribati. During a king tide, waves forced their way inside Tiaon Bwere’s house in the village of Betio. Photo © Greenpeace / Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert

Native Australian animals are extremely vulnerable to climate change. Species at risk from higher temperatures and lower rainfall include the albatross, the mountain pygmy possum, the bilby, tree kangaroo and quoll. Image via WikiMedia user Kevin503

Abandoned houses line the coast of Rita, Majuro, in the Marshall Islands. Families were forced to leave because of rising tides, environmental refugees from climate change. © Greenpeace / Tim Georgeson

What you can do to fight climate change

Climate change is here. Our actions will determine how bad it gets.

Faced with the choice of deadly, dirty, dangerous energy like coal, oil and nuclear power, or safe, clean and renewable power, what would you decide?

Renewable energy, smartly used, can and will meet our demands. No oil spills, no climate change, no radiation danger, no nuclear waste – simply energy we can trust. We can achieve a world with 100% renewable energy.

Sign up to join the movement and stay updated about Greenpeace campaigns and opportunities to act online and in your community! Or sign one of our petitions and take action for the climate:

How are the Northern Lights formed?

Charged particles emanating from the sun stream towards earth and then collide with the highest air particles. The color we see is a direct result of which gases are in the atmosphere. Oxygen produces the most common yellow-green color and the violet we often see at the lower edge of the aurora is due to nitrogen.

Gulf residents and wildlife continue to reel from the impacts of BP’s negligence. Coastal residents are struggling to maintain their livelihoods and culture, while they wrestle with health problems from exposure to oil and toxic chemicals.

We have to learn from the BP oil spill

Please share these images so that we never forget. A disaster of this magnitude doesn’t have to happen to us here, or to anyone, anywhere, ever again – especially not in the fragile Arctic. Shell plan to drill in the Arctic this summer – click here to raise your voice against the riskiest drilling yet.