How Earth Supports Life Essay

Basically, Earth is not the only planet that supports life. In a broader sense, Earth is the only planet capable of supporting complex life forms. Other planets and their moons can sustain life such as that of bacteria but only the Earth can constitute evolution into more complex species. Major components that sustain life are water and oxygen and only Earth has an abundant supply of both. Futuristic views point to Mars as another planet which is capable of sustaining life because it is able to sustain life for bacteria and there are traces of water and oxygen. However, one problem is that all water on Mars is frozen in its polar ice caps. Earth is the only planet that is strategically positioned wherein water can remain in its liquid state in order to sustain life (Springboard Magazine). The Earth also has the right temperature levels. Mercury and Venus are too close to the Sun that the heat would make it impossible to sustain life. Also, there is no sign of water on the planet. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are positioned way too far from the Sun resulting in extremely cold temperatures which makes it impossible for humans or any other life forms to survive. On the other hand, Jupiter and Saturn are formed from gas. Hydrogen, methane and helium make up the atmosphere of these two planets. They have no oxygen which is essential in sustaining life (Springboard Magazine). The Earth’s size and position also plays an important factor in the planets ability to preserve life. If the planet is larger, the pull of gravity would be greater which would affect the organisms living in the planet in a sense that hydrogen will not be able to escape from the atmosphere. On the other hand, if the pull of gravity was less, oxygen would escape from the atmosphere which would make it impossible to sustain life. The planet’s rotation period is also perfect otherwise; plant life would not be able to survive (A Planet Perfect for Life) These are just some of the factors that describe why the Earth is perfect for the sustainability of life, particularly the complex life forms. Although there are discoveries that may prove that there are other planets that may be similar to the Earth that may support life, it is difficult to confirm because of such great distances. Scientists can only make assumptions based on evidence but now, the only planet that is known to sustain human life is the Earth. Works Cited Only Earth Supports Life. Springboard Magazine. Accessed April 28, 2008, from A Planet Perfect for Life. United Church of God. Accessed April 28, 2008, from