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13.7: Cosmos And Culture13.7: Cosmos And Culture

 Commentary On Science And Society

Earth has been many different planets in its long history — and could be more. Some imaginary views are shown here. Top (from left): a water world before large-scale continents had formed; a "snowball" Earth phase with extreme glaciation; and a world shrouded in smoke after a large asteroid impact. Bottom: Earth today; Earth losing its oceans as the sun becomes hotter; and a final scorched Earth.

Earth has been many different planets in its long history — and could be more. Some imaginary views are shown here. Top (from left): a water world before large-scale continents had formed; a "snowball" Earth phase with extreme glaciation; and a world shrouded in smoke after a large asteroid impact. Bottom: Earth today; Earth losing its oceans as the sun becomes hotter; and a final scorched Earth. Courtesy of Don Brownlee, University of Washington hide caption

toggle caption Courtesy of Don Brownlee, University of Washington

Science

Humanity's Coming Of Age On Planet Earth

Some of the five mass extinctions Earth experienced in the past were driven by climate changes. Future Earth will be just fine. It's us humans we need to worry about, says astrophysicist Adam Frank.

The "Green Moms" group displays painted baby tubs during a June 2013 protest in Quezon, Philippines, showing opposition to the genetically modified rice variety "golden rice," which proponents promote as a solution to Vitamin A deficiency.

The "Green Moms" group displays painted baby tubs during a June 2013 protest in Quezon, Philippines, showing opposition to the genetically modified rice variety "golden rice," which proponents promote as a solution to Vitamin A deficiency. Bullit Marquez/AP hide caption

toggle caption Bullit Marquez/AP

Policy

Should We Eat Golden Rice?

Genetically-modified plants show promise as a way to deliver nutrients at low cost. Marcelo Gleiser asks: Can opposition groups, scientists and businesses work together to safely implement GMO crops?

A man walks through hundreds of pairs of shoes displayed in Paris as part of a rally called "Paris sets off for climate" on Sunday, Nov. 29. More than 140 world leaders are gathering around Paris for high-stakes climate talks this week.

A man walks through hundreds of pairs of shoes displayed in Paris as part of a rally called "Paris sets off for climate" on Sunday, Nov. 29. More than 140 world leaders are gathering around Paris for high-stakes climate talks this week. Laurent Cipriani/AP hide caption

toggle caption Laurent Cipriani/AP

Policy

How Psychology Can Save The World From Climate Change

A new paper says it's better to focus on concrete manifestations of climate change in our lives today — and what can be gained by making changes now — says psychologist Tania Lombrozo.

Two mourners kiss outside the Bataclan concert hall, one of the sites of Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, now adorned with a banner reading "Freedom is an indestructible monument."

Two mourners kiss outside the Bataclan concert hall, one of the sites of Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, now adorned with a banner reading "Freedom is an indestructible monument." Peter Dejong/AP hide caption

toggle caption Peter Dejong/AP

Philosophy

After Paris: Reason, Faith And Love

History shows us clearly that the ability to organize human culture through these virtues is no small thing — it has always been hard won. But we can feel grace to know it at all, says Adam Frank.