Nick Pepin provided a close, engaging analysis of the Blue Marble from the point of view of a climate scientist. Nick identified various elements of the photograph and explained their implications for the Earth's weather and climate. Weather events such as the tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal (seen in the top right of the image), caused by "the heating of the sun going into the ocean...and the ocean providing the energy for the storm" caused in the region of 80 deaths in India a couple of days before the Blue Marble was taken. Nick highlighted the distinction between the centre of Africa, defined by a dark green colour and and North and South Africa, and explained reasons for these visible differences (listen from 3mins 30 secs for a full discussion). He provided scientific background for the "menacing" looking clouds at the bottom of the image (listen from 5mins) and their evidence of "extra-tropical storms." Nick concluded his talk raising important points on Antarctica (seen at the bottom of the image) and how, by comparing this photograph with more recent "Blue Marble" images, evidence of climate change over the past fifty years becomes increasingly apparent. Nick also introduces our next speaker Tim Lenton (9mins 50 secs). Click this link to read Nick's comparative analysis of 1972 and 2022 Whole Earth photographs. Below you will find a version of the 1972 Blue Marble that can be magnified and viewed along with Nick's talk.