Earth Day: Celebrating our home from space
22 April 2026
Every year on April 22, more than a billion people around the world come together to celebrate Earth Day. This year, the theme is Our Power, Our Planet, a reminder that protecting this world doesn’t depend on governments alone. It depends on all of us.
And this year, we have a little extra perspective. Just over two weeks ago, four humans looked back at Earth from the vicinity of the Moon and saw exactly what’s worth protecting.
NASA’s Artemis II mission made history. For the first time in over 50 years, a crew of four astronauts, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, travelled to the vicinity of the Moon and returned safely to Earth on 10 April. As they looked back from deep space, they saw what every astronaut before them had seen: one fragile blue planet, glowing in darkness.
That image feels especially meaningful this Earth Day. It reminds us that “Our Planet” is not an abstract idea—it’s something real, finite, and worth protecting.
The overview effect: a perspective that changes everything
Astronauts often speak about the overview effect, a profound shift in perspective the moment they see Earth from space.
This idea isn’t new. During Apollo 8, astronauts captured the iconic Earthrise image, showing our planet rising above the lunar horizon. That single photograph helped inspire the modern environmental movement, and just two years later, the first Earth Day was born.
Why our planet needs us
- Oceans cover 71% of our planet’s surface, yet less than 1% of all water on Earth is accessible fresh water.
- Oceans cover 71% of the planet, yet less than 1% of Earth’s water is accessible as fresh water
- A single tree can produce enough oxygen for 2–4 people each day
- Around 90% of volcanic activity happens underwater
- More water exists in the atmosphere than in all rivers combined
- Roughly 100 lightning bolts strike Earth every second
These facts aren’t just interesting. They highlight how complex and delicate our planet really is. Protecting it isn’t optional. It’s a shared responsibility.
Why space missions matter for life on Earth
It might seem counterintuitive, but space exploration is one of our most powerful tools for protecting the planet.
It might sound surprising, but exploring space actually helps us take better care of Earth.
Missions like Artemis II don’t just send people to the Moon—they help build the technology we use every day. Satellites track climate change, spot deforestation, measure rising sea levels, and even help manage water worldwide.
Some clean energy tech we use today—like better solar panels and lighter batteries—also started with space research.
So “Our Power” isn’t just a nice idea. It’s already happening through science, new ideas, and the tools that help us protect our planet.
Ready to be part of the solution? Build your green skills today
The best way to honour Earth Day 2026 isn’t just awareness, it’s skills.
Whether you want to start a career in sustainability, switch to something greener, or just understand the challenges we face, building your knowledge is a great place to begin.
