This astronaut has seen the impact of climate change on the Earth from space -- and hopes his research on board the International Space Station can be used to protect the planet.
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet spent six months aboard the International Space Station last year, and his view of the Earth was as alarming as it was breathtaking.
Long periods with his feet off solid ground gave him a unique and privileged perspective on our planet. His Instagram account is bursting with beautiful images of"the blue ball we call home." But the beauty is tainted. Pesquet says that even from space the effects of climate change are visible.He says that since his previous visit to space, in 2016, the consequences of human activity have become even more apparent, with glaciers visibly retreating, and a rise in extreme weather events.
The astronaut caring for 'spaceship Earth' 04:04Read MoreCNN: What does the Earth look like from"out there?"Pesquet: When you look at the Earth from the space station, it's absolutely magical. You're not that far away, so you still have a relatively close-up view. But you can see the curvature and you see the atmosphere. It glows in blue. It is absolutely breathtaking the first time you see it. It's the most beautiful scenery you could possibly imagine.
CNN: What are the real effects of climate change that are visible from space?Pesquet: You can see a lot of the consequences of human activities from space. Some of them are from climate change, and some of it is just plain old pollution, e.g. river pollution, air pollution. The most visual visible effect is glaciers retreating year after year and mission after mission. But what you can see as well is extreme weather phenomena. They're getting stronger and stronger year after year.
CNN: Does it take its toll on family life when you're away in space for several months?Pesquet: It's not easy for us being up there, and it's not easy for the people we leave behind. The toughest thing is being deprived of your loved ones, and also being constantly worried that if something happens to them, you cannot help them. I think it's the nightmare of all the astronauts, that something happens to their families on Earth while they're away.
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