Earth's wonders and wounds

Entry 1 – Time to go! 

My rocket is fuelled and ready, supplies are stocked… Planet Earth, I’m coming! I’m so excited about this trip. It seems like yesterday that I was just a young alien, peering at this blue dot through my first telescope. It seemed so distant and unreachable. But now, here I am, on my way to discover the amazing views this distant world has to offer.

Entry 2 – Approaching planet Earth

Crossing the wormhole was a thrilling rush, and before I know it, Earth comes into view. I can hardly believe my alien eyes. The planet shimmers in stunning shades of blue, white, and green, its delicate atmosphere glowing faintly as it catches the light of its nearby star. Wisps of cloud swirl gracefully over vast oceans, while the landmasses below appear lush and teeming with life. It’s a rare gem, a true masterpiece of the cosmos. Surely, Earthlings must be immensely proud of their home… right?

But as I prepare for landing, I receive an unexpected welcome: thousands of satellites and an overwhelming swarm of space debris. What is all this junk? Where did it come from? And more importantly, why doesn’t anyone clean it up?
 
Something else feels off. My sensors detect unusually high concentrations of chemicals in the atmosphere: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and traces of sulphur dioxide. The composition seems unnatural for a planet like this. Surely, my sensors must be malfunctioning.

© Arek Socha from Pixabay

Entry 3 – First steps

I selected a remote area to avoid any type of contact, and I finally set foot on this fascinating world. The air is breathable, though it carries an odd scent, something artificial. I step out onto a coastal area, eager to explore. The sand under my feet is soft and warm, the waves crash against the shore in a hypnotic rhythm. Seabirds circle overhead, their cries blending into a soothing soundscape. This is just as advertised.
 
But as I step into the shallow water, I notice something strange. Tiny, unnatural particles swirl around my feet, suspended in the waves: microplastics, scattered everywhere. I examine the sand more closely and realise that even here, below the surface, plastic fragments are hidden among the grains.

© Double A Studios

That's not all. As I scan the shoreline, I notice signs of distress in the marine life. Some species of fish are struggling to survive in these changing waters, affected by plastic contamination and rising ocean temperatures. The coral formations beneath the waves appear pale and weakened.
 
I must be honest: this discovery unsettles me a little. This planet holds such beauty, yet I find its atmosphere polluted, its waters tainted, its creatures suffering. Why would Earthlings allow this to happen to their own home? Maybe I just picked the wrong spot. Tomorrow, I’ll find a better place.

Entry 4 – A starless night

I leave the unsettling view behind and prepare for a night of stargazing. I have been looking forward to admiring Earth’s famous night sky for so long! The sunset was a delightful spectacle, painting the horizon in warm hues. With my telescope set up and a hot drink in hand, I settle in, ready for the cosmic display.
 
But as dusk falls, I am met with another surprise, one I did not expect. There are no stars.
 
Or at least, very few. The sky is drowned in a hazy, reddish glow, pulsing with artificial lights from the cities around. It seems that only the brightest stars manage to pierce through the thick veil of light pollution. How can Earthlings see the stars?
 
I decide to visit a nearby town to investigate. The streets glow with artificial light: blazing neon signs, blinding billboards, and streetlights illuminating deserted roads. Even empty buildings are brightly lit. But why? Do Earthlings fear the dark?
 
I am so disappointed. I don’t understand. 
 
It’s time to study the Earthlings.

Entry 5 – The borders they fight for

For some reason, Earthlings have split their planet into what they call countries. At first, I found it amusing. Surely, such an advanced species understands that a planet is a shared home? But my amusement quickly faded as I learned more.
 
They do not simply mark these divisions. They fight over them.       
 
They destroy their own cities, kill each other, burn their resources. And all for control over land that, from my perspective, belongs to all of them. Perhaps they aren’t as intelligent as I thought.
 
On my world, we share resources and space because we know that survival depends on unity. Here, Earthlings seem determined to separate themselves, even if it means suffering.
 
What confuses me most is that I have seen evidence of their kindness elsewhere. They create stunning art, share knowledge, help one another in times of crisis. But still, they divide. Still, they fight.

Entry 6 – Final Thoughts

Planet Earth is beautiful. A true gem. It’s unlike anything I’ve encountered in my travels: an oasis of colour and life, teeming with species and rich in biodiversity. Every place reveals something new.
 
Sunsets here are spectacular, their star puts on a stunning show every day. And the auroras in the far polar regions are magnificent: ribbons of green and violet shimmering in the atmosphere, as if the planet itself were breathing light.
 
Even their creations are astonishing. Some Earthlings dedicate their lives to art: sculpting, painting, composing melodies that evoke emotions I didn’t know I had. Their architecture, too, is full of wonder: ancient stone temples, delicate bridges, cities that rise like glass mountains. There is so much here to admire.

© Stefan Keller from Pixabay

But Planet Earth is also broken.
 
Its inhabitants have allowed pollution to spread across their lands and seas. They have filled their skies with artificial light, erasing the stars that once guided them. They have drawn lines on a shared world, and now spill blood over them.
 
Their forests are burning. Their ice reserves are melting. Countless animal species are disappearing. Even Earthlings themselves are suffering the consequences of their own pollution.
 
It’s something truly difficult to understand. A real disappointment.
 
And yet… I cannot say I regret my visit.
 
Because amidst all of this, I have seen hope. I have seen Earthlings who fight against these problems, who clean their beaches, who protect their forests, who dream of a better way to live. Perhaps they will succeed. Perhaps they will learn to cherish their world before it is too late.
 
Earthlings, love your planet more! It still shines, still shimmers against the dark expanse of space.
 
But for how much longer?

Adriano Anfuso

Adriano Anfuso is a photographer and digital creator who is passionate about capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos and Earth's wonders. You can check out his work here.