Earth Day 2022: Google Doodle shows impact of climate change around the world

Time-lapse graphics use Google Earth imagery to demonstrate damage to the environment

The retreat of a glacier at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shown on the Earth Day 2022 Google Doodle. Photo: Google

For Earth Day 2022, Google has created a Google Doodle that addresses climate change.

The graphic uses time-lapse imagery generated from Google Earth to demonstrate the effect of climate change on the planet. The scenes are going to change throughout the day, showing the impact on different parts of the world.

At the time of writing, the images show the retreat of a glacier at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. The images progress from 1986 to 2020, showing a gradually reduced area of snow at the top of the mountain.

The retreat of a glacier in Sermersooq, Greenland, shown on the Earth Day 2022 Google Doodle.

The changing scenes will include the retreat of a glacier in Sermersooq, Greenland; coral bleaching on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia; and forests destroyed by bark beetle infestations owing to rising temperatures and severe drought in the Harz forests in Elend, Germany.

Coral bleaching on Lizard Island, Australia shown on the Earth Day 2022 Google Doodle.

"Acting now and together to live more sustainably is necessary to avoid the worst effects of climate change," reads a message from Google. "This Earth Day, learn how Google Earth Timelapse is being used in partnership with other technologies and programs to empower everyone to take climate action across our planet’s cities, oceans and forests."

The Doodles don't include any Google branding or music.

Using real-time imagery is a step in a different direction from Google, which typically uses illustrations to mark annual events with its Google Doodles.

The 2021 Earth Day Doodle featured an illustration of a growing tree that encouraged "everyone [to] plant the seed to a brighter future, one sapling at a time."

"The planet we call home continues to nurture life and inspire wonder. Our environment works hard to sustain us, which calls for us to return the favour," read Google's 2021 environmentally focused message. "Today’s video Doodle shows a variety of trees being planted within natural habitats, one of the many ways we can do our part to keep our Earth healthy for future generations.

"This Earth Day — and every day — we encourage everyone to find one small act they can do to restore our Earth. It’s bound to take root and blossom into something beautiful."

Earth Day around the world - in pictures

Susie Gray from the Edinburgh Science Festival team stands in the Firth of Forth at Portobello, Edinburgh, holding a giant black and red Earth to highlight the climate emergency and rising sea levels. PA Photo

A man plants mangroves at Pekan Bada in Indonesia's Aceh province. AFP

Indonesian activists rally on Earth Day outside the Ministry of Investment Co-ordinating Board office in Jakarta. EPA

Indigenous people and environmentalists attend the International Mother Earth Day ceremony in Yucatan, Mexico. EPA

Animal rights activists from Peta in dinosaur costumes hold placards urging people to go vegan in Manila, Philippines. Reuters

School children at Dumfries House in Ayeshire, Scotland, learn about keeping the planet healthy.

The UK's Prince of Wales is marking Earth Day by challenging children to draw or write about keeping the planet healthy.

Environmental activists, some wearing outfits made from plastic waste, lie down on the ground during a campaign against climate change in Seoul, South Korea. AP Photo

South Korean environmental activists wear outfits made of plastic waste during a campaign against climate change at a park along the Han River in Seoul. AFP

Members of an environmental activist group gather for a campaign of No Plastic! and Yes Naked! during the 52th anniversary of Earth Day in Seoul, South Korea. EPA

People mark Earth Day outside of Seoul city hall, South Korea. EPA

Tom Schalton paints a tree blue outside the Peabody Essex Museum as part of the public art installation 'Konstantin Dimopoulos: The Blue Trees,' which aims to raise awareness about global deforestation and climate change, in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Reuters

A tourist observes the crater of the Santiago volcano at the Masaya National Park in Masaya, Nicaragua, on the eve of Earth Day. AFP

Mountain guides approach the Charquini glacier in Bolivia as scientists and climbers battle over the future of the controversial lure for tourists. Reuters

Young protesters carry placards as they take part in a ‘Climate Strike’ march towards Thailand’s Ministry of Natural Resource and Development to mark Earth Day in Bangkok. AFP

Placards from a Climate Strike protest in Bangkok, Thailand. AFP

An activist from Extinction Rebellion takes part in an Earth Day demonstration blockading the gate of the New York Times Distribution print facility in Queens, New York City, US. Reuters

South Korean outgoing President Moon Jae-in, left, and his wife Kim Jung-sook plant a tree to mark Earth Day 2022 at the Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon, South Korea. EPA

Activists hold signs during a climate change strike in Bangkok, Thailand. EPA

India's climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, right, carries a container with a block of ice from the Khardung La glacier to Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama at Tsuglakhang in McLeod Ganj. AFP

A woman collects garbage on To Lich river in Hanoi, Vietnam. EPA

A demonstrator holds a banner as Climate activists protest in front of the German Embassy on Earth Day to call for an immediate embargo on Russian oil and gas, in Brussels, Belgium, April 22, 2022. REUTERS / Johanna Geron

Students hold their paintings with environmental themes as they gather on the occasion of 'Earth Day' at a school in Amritsar. AFP

Environmental activists display placards next to mannequins dressed with plastic waste during a campaign against climate change to mark 'Earth Day' in Surabaya, Indonesia. AFP