Giant panda; Sichuan Province, China (photo: Michel Gunther/WWF-Canon)

Can you imagine life without music from [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Andrew Bird[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Robyn[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Phish[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Panda Bear[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Def Leppard[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Arctic Monkeys[/lastfm], [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Fleet Floxes[/lastfm], or [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Gorillaz[/lastfm]? More to the point, how about an environment without the beauty of green woodlands and the absence of fresh water? Or a world without polar bears, tigers, monkeys, and wolves? Without wild areas and diverse species, life–and our world–wouldn’t be the same.

Some food (and photos) for thought on Earth Day.

[photogallerylink id=48715]If the images inspire you, the World Wildlife Fund (who provided these shots) is holding a Life Grows On photo contest in honor of Earth Day and the WWF’s 50th anniversary. Submit your own photos for a chance to win a trip to visit polar bears and, in your own small way, help the planet.