35 Times Nature Decided to Totally Win the Battle With Civilization

I’ve long held the belief that as the dominant species on this planet, human beings have done more harm than good. Oh, we’ve certainly done some wondrous things, but meanwhile, we’ve caused entire species to become endangered or extinct, and we’ve taken away a lot of what makes Earth so beautiful. Well, sometimes, if it gets the chance, Mother Nature takes back what is rightfully hers. Nature isn’t going to give up the fight for the planet – ever.

The scientist Neil DeGrasse Tyson once said that climate change won’t destroy the planet. It will destroy us. He pointed out that Earth would survive but we wouldn’t. I think this amazing collection of photos proves him right. Enjoy!

Neil DeGrasse Tyson quotes t-shirt
Amazon

1. A Sneaker Was Overtaken by Nature

The question is: where is the other one???

Sneaker overtaken by nature
VomitCoffin666

2. This Road Washed Out by Flood Waters in Washington State

Yeah, water doesn’t stop for much of anything.

Road washed out by flood waters in Washington State
resonanteye

3. A Tree Grows Nearly Completely Around a Sign

This tree is laughing in the face of whatever rules mankind decided to post.

Tree growing around sign
SomeonesDrunkNephew

4. Moss Growing Inside a Busted Bicycle Seat

This is oddly satisfying.

moss growing inside a bicycle seat abandoned places nature taking over
teton_blamer

5. Stone Cottage in Sneem/Kanmare, Ireland

I love that Mother Nature has reclaimed a lot of these things, but I confess, I would have loved to live in this stone cottage. So adorable.

Stone cottage in Sneem/Kenmare Ireland
ethan_kahn

6. A Japanese Shrine Reclaimed by Nature

It looks like the little guys all grew lots of green hair and need a shave.

Japanese shrine reclaimed by nature
98naykkanReport

7. Meanwhile, Somewhere in China

Is it a train? Who besides me would love love love to go inside there. It looks so mysterious.

train abandoned in China
youknowcyc

8. Car Covered in Ivy in Bejing

Why just this one car? This shows what happens if you park in the same place and leave your car there for too long.

Nature takes over civilization car covered in ivy in Bejing
Proteon

9. This Tree Is Overtaking a Street Sign

Most gorgeous topiary ever.

tree overtaking street sign topiary
Althunter_man86

10. Tree Growing Through a Speed Limit Sign

This is just cute. You go, brave little tree!

tree growing through speed limit sign
Swingguitars

11. Why Just this One House?

It seems that the neighbors would have complained to the city long before things reached this point.

House overgrown by ivy
Autogegner

12. Abandoned House in Norway

This is eerily beautiful.

Abandoned house in Norway
iam4realReport

13. Moss Covered Van

I love moss. I also love cute little vans.

moss covered van
BreakingDed

14. Mushrooms Grow Through This House’s Floor

I have seen this happen!

mushrooms growing through the floor in a house
Seandonjuan

15. Mangrove Forest Reclaiming a Statue of Buddha

I think Buddha would approve of this, totally.

Statue of Buddha reclaimed by a mangrove forest
Fire_Bucket

16. This Tree that Refused to Heed the Stop Sign

Stop sign? What stop sign?

Tree eating a stop sign
gravityisweak

17. In a Former Fishing Village in Kirovsky, Russia, the Sea is Claiming an Apartment Building

There is no force on this planet greater than the force of the sea.

Kirovsky, Russia sea reclaims apartment building

18. This Tree Decided to Consume the Railing on this Bridge.

The googly eyes are a cool human touch.

Tree consuming a bridge nature reclaims civilization
pendingperil

19. A Tree Growing Inside of a Chimney that Has Been Abandoned

Perseverance.

Tree growing inside a chimney nature reclaiming
Vijaykulange

20. Ivy Reclaims this Bicycle

I have questions about this. How could a bike sit for so long in such a busy place and be reclaimed by nature?

Ivy claims bike
martez89Report

21. Ivy on this Abandoned Escalator

This is beautiful. Just beautiful.

Ivy on abandoned escalator
espinas3

22. Mother Nature Claimed this Roller Coaster

Perhaps the most terrifying roller coaster ever.

Mother Nature claims roller coaster
RoyalKoala23

23. A Cactus Growing Inside a Rain Gutter

This is one hardy plant.

cactus growing inside a rain gutter
scottdottcom

24. Piano Claimed by Mother Nature

This is gorgeous. I would never move it.

Piano claimed by Mother Nature tree
Crackoala

25. Abandoned Railway in Paris

Of course, this is in Paris. Beautiful.

Abandoned Inner City Railway In Paris
messynessychic.com

26. A Tree Swallows a Bicycle

What does nature have against bicycles?

tree swallows bicycle vashon island washington state
Ethan Welty

27. Fish Taking Over Abandoned Shopping Malls in Bangkok

Who knew in the 1980s that all of the shopping malls would end up like this? Yikes.

Fish take over abandoned shopping mall in Bangkok Thailand
Jesse Rockwell

28. Nature Overtakes Abandoned Ferris Wheel

There’s just something unsettling about abandoned amusement parks and carnival rides. What is it?

Nature takes over abandoned ferris wheel carnival amusement park
Kyle Telechan

29. An Automobile Graveyard in Belgium

This is oddly beautiful for some reason.

automobile graveyard belgium
Rosanne de Lange

30. This Tree’s Roots Overcome a Brick Sidewalk

Wow, this is beautiful.

Tree roots overcome brick sidewalk
worldbeyondyourown

31. An Old Pipe Claimed by Some San Francisco Cliffs

This is gorgeous.

Old pipe claimed by nature San Francisco
GalvanEyes

32. Sculpture of Jesus at an Abandoned Polish Cemetery Gets Absorbed Slowly by a Tree

I think Jesus would be totally OK with this.

Sculpture of Jesus at a Polish cemetery absorbed by a tree
TodoLoQueCompartimos

33. A tiny forest inside this car’s headlight.

WOW. That is all.

Trees growing inside car headline
bigbigbigwow

34. Whatever Is Happening Here in Angkor, Cambodia

No idea what this place is, but it belongs to the trees now. Yikes. Mother Nature is a glorious beast.

Angkor Cambodia tree taking over
Pietro Bevilacqua

35. Chinese Fishing Village Abandoned in the 1990s in Houtouwan, China

And last but absolutely not least. This. I love it.

Houtouwan China nature won the battle
Green Jane

Dear Mother Nature: You go, girl.

Tiffany Willis Clark is a fifth-generation Texan and the founder and editor-in-chief of The Best Stuff Online, AmReading.com, and a few other websites. In 2011, she made the decision to pursue her dreams and become a full-time writer. Tiff is obsessed with finding the most interesting, coolest stuff online and sharing it with the world. Connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter, and like her Facebook page.