Google Spells Out Its Logo Using Aerial Photos From Across The Planet

Video screenshot via Google Doodles

Google’s reach stretches all over the planet, but that’s a different story for a different day. Today is about Earth Day, with the tech giant transforming its iconic logo into a collage of arresting aerial photographs on April 22. Each letter showcases a unique natural landscape, highlighting Earth’s remarkable biodiversity and ongoing conservation efforts.

This Doodle, a global canvas, features six aerial photos representing six continents, obtained from the archives of Airbus, CNES, Copernicus, Maxar Technology, and USGS/NASA Landsat.

The dazzling capital ‘G’ kicks off the display, featuring the turquoise waters and white-sand beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands. More than just a paradise destination, this region is also home to key biodiversity areas.

And venturing to Mexico, the vibrant blue ‘o’ takes shape with Scorpion Reef National Park, also known as Arrecife de Alacranes, the largest in the southern Gulf of Mexico and a UNESCO biosphere reserve with a vital refuge for complex coral formations and several endangered birds and turtle species.

Image via Google

Europe’s contribution comes in the form of Iceland’s Vatnajökull National Park, a vast expanse of glaciers and volcanic landscapes composing the second ‘o’. Established as a national park in 2008 after years of advocacy, this UNESCO World Heritage Site protects the delicate ecosystem surrounding Europe’s largest glacier. The unique mix of volcanoes and glacial ice produces rare landscapes and flora that wouldn’t exist anywhere else on Earth.

Continuing the journey to South America, the lush Jaú National Park in Brazil carves out the emerald ‘g’.  Also known as Parque Nacional do Jaú, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of South America’s largest forest reserves and safeguards a staggering range of species, including the margay, jaguar, giant otter, and the Amazonian manatee.

Africa is represented by the Great Green Wall project in Nigeria, a verdant ‘l’ symbolizing hope for the continent's future. This ambitious African Union-led initiative, started in 2007, aims to restore vast swathes of land affected by desertification. By planting trees and other vegetation while implementing sustainable land management practices, the Great Green Wall tackles desertification head-on. This project also provides the local people and communities with increased economic opportunities, food security, and climate resilience.

Finally, the Doodle concludes with the ochre hues of the Pilbara Islands Nature Reserves in Australia, representing the letter ‘e’. These sanctuaries are just a sample of the 20 nature reserves in Australia that play a crucial role in protecting the country’s fragile ecosystems.

Accompanying the imagery is a short video explaining the selection process behind each photo.  The locations were, in fact, chosen for their communities who are actively engaged in protecting their natural resources. This subtle storytelling aims to inspire hope and action, reminding viewers of the ongoing fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.

[via PetaPixel, The Quint, Economic Times, video and images via Google]