National Geographic | EARTH DAY 2021

CAN WE ACHIEVE A WASTE-FREE FUTURE?

PHOTOGRAPH BY LUCA LOCATELLI

After taking a moment to think about the amount of trash you alone disposed of today, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think the idea of eliminating trash completely for the entire world sounds far-fetched—even impossible. But continuing to accumulate huge amounts of trash like we have for decades is untenable for the planet. So innovators worldwide are pioneering solutions to help us get to a zero-waste future. In Newark, New Jersey, the world’s largest indoor vertical farm (above), operated by Aerofarms, is one such groundbreaker. They aim to raise vegetables sustainably year-round in the heart of cities by using substrate made from recycled plastic bottles.

QUOTE

Plastic is falling out of the sky into everything. What should be imprinted on the broader public view is although we’re only noticing this problem now, it is not a new problem.

Janice Brahney
Scientist at Utah State University

From: Microplastics have moved into virtually every crevice on Earth

How can you be a part of the climate solution? How we get around contributes to a large percentage of the greenhouse gases that impact global warming. Learn more about the pros and cons of carbon offsets, a market-based approach to reducing emissions that some travelers purchase. Electric vehicles are also poised to take off in the United States. Read more about electric vehicles, and why they could be a key component in the fight against climate change. Meanwhile, these are the emerging technologies that might make air travel more sustainable in the future.

JOIN US EARTH DAY EVE

Tune-in on April 21 at 8:30pm ET for a very special Earth Day Eve musical celebration. Hosted by Jessica Nabongo, the event will span the globe with visually stunning performances from some of the most beautiful places in the world by AURORA, Angélique Kidjo, José González, Maggie Rogers, My Morning Jacket, Rostam, Valerie June, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma, and Ziggy Marley. The party will continue afterward LIVE with Jayda G on @NatGeo TikTok, counting down to #NatGeoEarthDay.

Plus: Nat Geo subscribers can bring home the celebration with exclusive artwork framed through Framebridge. Learn More. +

50 STUNNING PHOTOS OF EARTH

Clockwise from top left: Photographs by Brian Skerry, Ami Vitale, Babak Tafreshi, and Paul Nicklen

Coral reefs, sprawling forests, and abundant wildlife enrich our Earth. At the same time, climate change is making it too hot for many reefs to survive, once lush regions are being deforested, and wildlife is finding it increasingly difficult to coexist with people. Check out these breathtaking scenes from around the world that reveal Earth’s beauty—as well as its vulnerabilities to human influence.

FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE TOGETHER

PHOTOGRAPH BY MELISSA GOLDEN, REDUX

These leaders want to diversify the environmental movement

People of color have long been excluded, creating blind spots that perpetuate inequality.

PHOTOGRAPH BY SARAH BLESENER, THE WASHINGTON POST/GETTY

These young activists went on strike to save the planet

In 2019 a cadre of teens led a nationwide strike to get climate change firmly into the national conversation.

SECRETS OF THE WHALES

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker and conservationist James Cameron, Secrets of the Whales plunges viewers deep into the epicenter of whale culture to experience the extraordinary communication skills and intricate social structures of five different whale species. The original series streams April 22 on Disney+.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATHIAS SVOLD

CAN 'LEGAL PERSONHOOD' PROTECT THIS SPIRITUALLY IMPORTANT RIVER?

"The great River flows from the mountains to the sea. I am the River, the River is me." This is how regional Maori tribes declare their inseverable connection to the Whanganui River. But over the years the body of water has been degraded and disgraced. So in 2017, the Parliament of New Zealand recognized what the Maori had been insisting all along: The river is a living being, and it had “all the rights, powers, duties, and liabilities” of a legal person.

7 ENVIRONMENTAL WINS THAT GAVE US HOPE LAST YEAR

PHOTOGRAPH BY APU GOMES, AFP/GETTY

2020 was a tumultuous year for everyone: from the pandemic and devastating wildfires to a searing reckoning over racial justice and an often exhausting election season. But still, there were some environmental trends that had many of us looking forward to good things to come.

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT‌ ‌ ‌

New Earth Day Collection

Bring Earth Day home with a new collection of Nat Geo photographs inspired by our shared love for the planet, custom framed by Framebridge. Subscribe to get 15% off your favorite print and view the full collection at natgeo.com/framed.

Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

© 2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.