Photograph #2 (August 2006)

Photo credit: Eric Nguyen (Oklahoma U.), www.mesoscale.ws

Nature is awesome in its power and beauty.

Gaia, our planet, has been alive for 4 + billion years. She has survived major meteor strikes and other challenges more serious than those of global warming. She will survive.

Humans, like the dinosaurs, may not... Unless we wake up to living in harmony with Gaia, rather than abusing her.

What are YOU contributing to a sustainable relationship with the environment?

- Dan Benor

The scene might have been considered serene if it weren't for the tornado. Last June in Kansas, storm chaser Eric Nguyen photographed this budding twister in a different light -- the light of a rainbow. Pictured above, a white tornado cloud descends from a dark storm cloud. The Sun, peeking through a clear patch of sky to the left, illuminates some buildings in the foreground. Sunlight reflects off raindrops to form a rainbow. By coincidence, the tornado appears to end right over the rainbow. Streaks in the image are hail being swept about by the high swirling winds. Over 1,000 tornadoes, the most violent type of storm known, occur on Earth every year, many in this tornado alley. If you see a tornado while driving, do not try to outrun it -- park your car safely, go to a storm cellar, or crouch under steps in a basement.

Many more tips at: www.tornadoproject.com