Nature in the Neighborhood

On Dec. 24, 1968, Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders took a photo that photographer Galen Rowell later described as the most influential environmental photograph ever taken. In the darkness of space, the image captures the Earth rising above the barren lunar horizon. Dubbed “Earthrise,” this iconic photo inspires awe and transcendence and helped launch the environmental movement of the 1960s. A little over a year after it was taken, the first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970. Earth Day celebrations have continued in the ensuing five decades and have grown to be a global event for environmental action and awareness with millions of participants.

Many years after taking the Earthrise photo, Anders remarked that “we set out to explore the moon and instead discovered the Earth.” Today, we again have an opportunity to discover the Earth through heart-catching photos from space, thanks to the Artemis II space mission. Fittingly, the Earthrise image is the official NASA emblem for this mission, which took four astronauts on a 10-day flight around the moon.

Ander’s 1968 Earthrise image and the recent photos from Artemis II serve to remind us of how large the universe is and how small and fragile our planet is. Last month, on April 22, we celebrated Earth Day, and the “pale blue dot” we call home. On that day, around the world, people acknowledged our collective responsibility to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for the planet.

This year’s official Earth Day theme — “Our Power, Our Planet” — strengthens the idea that we need to keep the environment in mind all year long and make every day Earth Day. earthday.org/earth-day-2026/. Behind the theme is a recognition that environmental stewardship has never depended on a single political administration, institution, or election but is “sustained by the daily decisions of communities, educators, workers, innovators, and families who understand that protecting the places they live and work is both a responsibility and a long-term investment.” Thus, “Our Power, Our Planet” reflects a fundamental truth that transcends political cycles. It is a commitment to stewardship, resilience, and shared accountability — a call for every individual, community, and sector to exercise their power in service of the planet we all depend on.

Accordingly, the Earthday.org website maintains that every person has the power to create change, whether it be by joining in community cleanups, tree plantings, or peaceful demonstrations, and by contacting elected officials, teaching others, and making sustainable choices in our daily lives. The website offers 50 suggestions on ways you can act in service of the planet and provides resources to help you succeed.

Images like Earthrise ushered in an awareness of the Earth as a whole, transcending borders and boundaries. Artemis II astronaut Victor Glover, the first Black astronaut to travel to deep space, emphasized the unifying power of seeing Earth from such a distance when he said, “No matter where you are from or what you look like, we’re all one people.”

Wishing you a Happy Earth Year!

Nature in the Neighborhood is a monthly feature provided by the Swampscott Conservancy and submitted by Conservancy President Tonia Bandrowicz.