I have always been drawn to photography, the outdoors, exploring far beyond my own backyard, and otherworldly adventures and endeavors. Reading National Geographic played a super sized role amplifying these passions during my childhood, especially articles highlighting the Apollo space missions of the 1960s and 1970s.

One of my favorite all-time photographs from space is one you will likely recognize-“Earthrise” taken by the late Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders on Christmas Eve 1968. At that time, he, Frank Borman and Jim Lovell became the first human beings to orbit another planetary body, Earth’s moon.

At one point during their orbit, they were simultaneously astonished and humbled by how beautiful, colorful and fragile Earth appeared as it slowly rose into view.

Borman later said: The contrast between the distressed Moon and the beautiful blue Earth was remarkable. The Earth was the only thing in the entire universe that had any color…It was a beautiful sight. We’re very very fortunate to live on this planet.”

“Earthrise” was the first color photograph of our planet taken from space, inspiring countless people to see Earth as a unique, fragile irreplaceable home in a universe seemingly otherwise devoid of life.

Astronaut Anders later said, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the earth.”

Between 2008 and 2011, International Space Station mission astronaut Ron Garan Jr. also experienced “The Overview Effect,” a term astronauts have used to describe the transformational shift and awareness they realize from space of the interdependence and interconnectedness of everything on earth.

Since retiring from N.A.S.A over a decade ago, Garan continues to motivate people to step back from the myriad planetary challenges we face to gain a higher, different perspective on possible solutions. He believes we don’t have to travel to space to gain this perspective, and that the Overview Effect is available to all of us now, no matter where our feet are.

One of the greatest takeaways from watching Garan’s podcasts is keeping the wellbeing of all Earth inhabitants and ecosystems foremost in mind when finding and implementing sustainable solutions to global challenges.

This has been a guiding principle, especially in this rollercoaster year of 2025, along with a crucial question: what can we do to include and lift up others as we move forward?

Whatever we decide and commit to, let’s start in our own homes, backyards, and communities, allowing things to ripple out from there. We don’t need everyone on board-we just need a critical mass of people working toward their visions for a safer, saner and more sustainable planet.

I deeply believe that humanity will rise up and meet this moment, and leave a kinder, more equitable and peaceful world for today’s children and the children of the future.

As President Lyndon Baines Johnson declared in 1964, “If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it.”

Photo Credit: “Earthrise” photo by N.A.S.A. Public Domain Photo.