Soak in the beauty and fragility of our dynamic planet with these stunning photos

We hear a lot about all the horrible things happening to Earth: global warming, pollution, and water and food shortages - it's enough to conclude that life as we know it is nearing its end.

Yes, it's true that there are many serious issues plaguing much of the world right now.

But it's more important than ever to take a step back and appreciate the never-ending beauty and elegance that is planet Earth.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, here are 51 images that illustrate not only the fragility of our beautiful planet, but its incomprehensible splendor.