OUR PLANET—A SPACESHIP

Have you ever thought about the fact that you’re currently on a space journey? Our planet, Earth, may not be any bigger than a grain of sand in space, but it’s constantly traveling in a circle around the sun. The Earth never stands still; instead, it floats along its orbit day after day.

That is why we can say that Earth is our spaceship. As good astronauts, we must take care of our spaceship, and we do that by protecting the environment.

Do you know the names of the planets in our solar system? Match each planet with its correct name.

The Long Journey

Earth has been traveling through space long before we humans existed. It is believed that the planet was formed about 4,500 million years ago!

We humans have only been on Earth for a little over 200,000 years. That may sound like a long time, but if we compare it to the time that has passed since the Earth was created, our time on Earth is very short.

Despite this, we’ve managed to wreak havoc and litter the oceans, the land, and the air. Both plants and animals have been affected by the damage we’ve caused during our journey through space.

Let’s pretend for a moment that Earth is a spaceship! On the day Earth was created, the planet also began a journey through space. The destination of that journey is today. A day here on Earth has 24 hours.

If we imagine that one day during Earth’s journey through space is 750 million mil long, then the entire journey—from the day the planet was formed until today—took about a week. If Earth had kept a diary of its journey through space, it might have read something like this…

Our Swedish astronaut!

On December 9, 2006, Christer Fuglesang became the first Swede in space. He traveled aboard the U.S. space shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station (ISS). His mission was to install new components on the space station. 

December 21:

I saw Sweden! A couple of hours ago, we flew over Germany, and I looked north. It was nighttime, but the sky was completely clear over all of northern Europe, and I could clearly see Denmark and southern Sweden all the way up to Stockholm. And the Northern Lights above it all.

Christer described many times how beautiful our planet is. When he saw Earth from space, he realized more than ever just how precious it is. None of our neighboring planets have an atmosphere, oceans, or temperatures that support life. Even though we can’t all fly out into space to look down on our amazing planet, we can all be good astronauts and take good care of Earth!

Long ago, some people believed that the Earth was flat as a pancake. They thought there was an edge where the Earth ended. And if you walked over the edge, you’d fall into space! Sailors knew that wasn’t true. After all, they had sailed all around the world and never fallen off any edge.

In the 1500s, people also believed that the Earth was the center of the solar system, and that the Sun and the other planets orbited the Earth. The Polish astronomer Copernicus tried to prove that the planets orbit the Sun, but almost no one believed him!

1. Which animal species are the most numerous in the world?

1. A.
   Fish.
2. B.
   Insects.
3. C.
   Mammals.

2. Where are there the most animal species?

1. A.
   In the rainforest
2. B.
   In the garden.
3. C.
   On the ground.

3. Which of these animals is an omnivore?

1. A.
   The Fox
2. B.
   The Wolf.
3. C.
   The roe deer.

4. What do all mammals have in common?

1. A.
   They lay eggs.
2. B.
   They live in the forest.
3. C.
   They nurse their young.

5. What is the name of the system that describes which animals eat what?

1. A.
   Photosynthesis.
2. B.
   Food web.
3. C.
   Diversity,

6. What is the term for the process by which plants obtain nutrients from sunlight, air, and water in the soil?

1. A.
   Chlorophyll
2. B.
   Photosynthesis
3. C.
   Oxygen-enriching.

7. What substance do plants take in from the air, which they then release as oxygen—the oxygen that we humans need to breathe?

1. A.
   Exhaust fumes.
2. B.
   Pollen.
3. C.
   Carbon dioxide.

8. What does it mean when a piece of meat is KRAV-certified?

1. A.
   It is meat from an animal that has been fed organic feed and raised outdoors.
2. B.
   This is meat that is sold fresh.
3. C.
   This meat comes from Swedish animals that have been fed only Swedish feed.

9. Why aren't there piles of dead plants and animals in the forest?

1. A.
   The decomposers eat them.
2. B.
   People clean them up.
3. C.
   They're blown away by the wind.

10. What does the word “kretslopp” mean?

1. A.
   That is the circumference of a tree trunk.
2. B.
   It's a running race in nature.
3. C.
   That everything is a cycle in nature.

11. The right of public access means that we...

1. A.
   We’re allowed to enjoy the outdoors, as long as we’re considerate.
2. B.
   are eligible to vote in elections.
3. C.
   can do whatever we want on other people's property.

12. The atmosphere is...

1. A.
   something that is found inside the Earth.
2. B.
   the temperature of the oceans.
3. C.
   an invisible, protective layer surrounding the Earth.

13. Freshwater is...

1. A.
   bottled sparkling water
2. B.
   plain water with sugar in it
3. C.
   what falls from the sky when water vapor cools in the air.

14. The sun is our friend, but we must be careful of the sun’s…

1. A.
   crackling flames.
2. B.
   ultraviolet radiation.
3. C.
   loud crackling sounds.

Now you’ve read an entire book about our amazing planet. You’ve learned more about how nature works. You’ve realized that nature is fragile and that it needs our help. But compared to the planet, we humans are so small... What can little old me do?

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something!

MY PROMISE TO MOTHER EARTH

The Earth gives me food to eat, water to drink, and air to breathe —everything I need to live. So now that the Earth needs my help, I want to do my part.