ThisRock

Earth Day gives us an important opportunity to reflect on the state of our planet – our only home. Just a few weeks ago, NASA’s groundbreaking Artemis II crew shared a new image of Earth, reigniting the spirit of awe and wonder that inspired the first Earth Day. Traveling farther into space than any humans ever have, the crew looked back at our planet and captured an image as it set behind the moon. This image, called Earthset, mirrors the famous Earthrise photograph from the Apollo 8 mission that sparked the modern environmental movement more than 50 years ago. I remember seeing the Earthrise image for the first time and feeling called upon to protect the fragile, pale blue dot we call home. I hope this new image will inspire a new generation of leaders to feel the same way. As Artemis II astronaut Christina Koch said, reflecting on her crew’s mission: "We will inspire. But ultimately, we will always choose Earth. We will always choose each other." Indeed, we must always choose the health and safety of the place we call home and the people we share this home with. On this Earth Day, and every day, I encourage you to commit to creating a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for us all.