Lightning - A release of electricity from the atmosphere, seen as a bright line and normally accompanied by thunder.
   
  Lightning occurs when there is too much electric charge in the sky.  It is released and all the energy is transferred to the earth.  Humans do not contribute to the effects of lightning, but global warming could lead to an increase in the amount of lightning.
   
 

When lightning strikes the earth it can be devastating.  Lightning will normally strike taller objects, and therefore often strikes trees.  The picture to the right shows a tree that has been hit.  When this happens the tree dies, and also animals who make their home in the tree lose that home.

 Lightning can also start forest fires, which cause far more destruction than the lightning itself.  In fact 42% of forest fires are caused by lighting (the other 58% by humans).  That fact was taken from this article.
   
  The effects lightning have on the human world are very similar to the effects it has on nature.  The house shown in this picture was struck by lightning, which caused it to catch on fire.  Just like lightning is drawn to taller objects, it is also drawn to metal.  there have been many times when people have been hit by lightning while they were golfing, or carrying a metal umbrella.  Other things like hydro poles and fences are also targets for lightning, which can cause large scale power failures if it strikes the wrong place.
   
  Humans have learned a lot about lightning, and in doing so they have made several "rules" about handling it.  Never stand under a tree in a lightning storm, don't hold metal objects or never step out of a car that has been hit by lightning.  Several buildings are also equipped with lightning rods, metal poles that are meant to be hit by lightning (picture below).  The energy is carried down the pole, and safely to the ground.  Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way to collect that energy because it is too quick and powerful.
   
  Below you will find a video that shows a tree getting hit by lightning.  You can see how quickly something can be destroyed.