World Meteorological Day: The Sun, the Earth, and the Weather

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Since 1950, the World Meteorological Day is observed every year on March 23. This year's theme is "The Sun, the Earth, and the Weather".

For over 4.5 billion years, the Sun has been driving the weather and delivering the energy that powers all lives on the Earth. Its heat ensures warmth and liquid water on the planet, which all living beings need to survive.

A giant panda soaking the sun. /VCG Photo

A gibbon stretches its arm for a swing on a sunny day. /VCG Photo

A leopard soaking the sun. /VCG Photo

A Chinese merganser enjoys swimming on a sunny day. /VCG Photo

Red-crowned cranes dance in the sun. /VCG Photo

As climate changes and long-lived greenhouse gases accumulate, extreme weathers occur more often with devastating effects. Extreme cold, scorching heat, typhoons and snowstorms, all pose severe threats to the existence of humans and wildlife.

Frozen Niagara Falls in Canada. /VCG Photo

Horses struggle during a blizzard in Colorado, U.S. /VCG Photo

Two stilts look out over a lake that turns pink due to extreme salt levels and hot weather, Melbourne, Australia. /VCG Photo

A dead standing poplar tree in a desert. /VCG Photo

A pride of lions drink water at a shrinking waterhole, Chobe National Park, Botswana. /VCG Photo

The Sun has endowed the Earth with much more than forests, water and diversified wildlife communities. All these elements make up our only home planet.

(Cover image designed by CGTN's Li Jingjie)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)