Earth Day
Fifty years ago we celebrated the first Earth Day. Where will we be 50 years from now?
- From the editor
Why we explored two starkly different futures for the Earth in 50 years
National Geographic questions what lies ahead for the planet—will it be saved or lost? So far, it’s impossible to predict.
Read- Interactive
See how your city’s climate might change by 2070
Change is coming for every corner of the planet. Explore what your city could feel like 50 years from now.
ExploreWhy we’ll succeed in saving the planet from climate change
- Essay
Why we’ll succeed in saving the planet from climate change
Life will be different—and warmer—in 2070. But we will find ways to limit carbon emissions, embrace nature, and thrive.We took the Great American Road Trip—in electric cars
We took the Great American Road Trip—in electric cars
A cross-country journey in electric cars reveals how alternative energy sources could help power us into a sustainable future.Greta wasn't the first to demand climate action. Meet more young activists.
Greta wasn't the first to demand climate action. Meet more young activists.
In what they see as a battle for their future, youths are taking action and demanding their elders do more to protect the planet.Your actions alone can’t save the planet—but these habits can help
- Decoder
Your actions alone can’t save the planet—but these habits can help
Each of us can help lighten our ecological load—in our homes, our neighborhoods, and the wider world.50 years of progress—and setbacks—since the first Earth Day
- Timeline
50 years of progress—and setbacks—since the first Earth Day
Many countries have cleaner air, water, and land. But we face a rapidly warming climate, rising extinction, and other challenges.Why we won’t avoid a climate catastrophe
- Essay
Why we won’t avoid a climate catastrophe
By not doing enough to fight global warming, we’re trashing the planet. Innovation may save us, but it will not be pretty.As climate change alters beloved landscapes, we feel the loss
As climate change alters beloved landscapes, we feel the loss
The environment’s chaotic transformation is damaging many of our favorite places—and causing a shared ‘homesickness’.See which cities will feel the brunt of climate change
- Graphic
See which cities will feel the brunt of climate change
The whole planet will feel climate change's impacts over coming decades. But some cities will see more dramatic changes in temperature or precipitation than others.Hidden landscapes reveal how humans have reshaped the planet
- Through the Lens
Hidden landscapes reveal how humans have reshaped the planet
For every “great creation,” humans have wrought “a greater act of destruction,” says this photographer.This is how we’ve damaged the world—and what we can do about it.
- Map
This is how we’ve damaged the world—and what we can do about it.
Humans have altered most of the planet. To protect it, we must save these places first.Latest Issues
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Environment
- Can today's youth overcome widespread climate anxiety?Can today's youth overcome widespread climate anxiety?
- Historic Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destructionHistoric Yellowstone flooding brings renewal despite destruction
- What is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yoursWhat is a carbon footprint—and how to measure yours
- Thai fishermen and restaurants team up for sustainability
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Thai fishermen and restaurants team up for sustainability - Humanity is leaving an irreversible imprint on Earth's rocksHumanity is leaving an irreversible imprint on Earth's rocks
- Simulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homesSimulating 200 mph hurricanes to make storm-resistant homes
- Scotland’s ‘Great Wood’: Was the legendary forest real?Scotland’s ‘Great Wood’: Was the legendary forest real?
- Five thirsty foods―and how Australia can keep growing them, Video Story
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Five thirsty foods―and how Australia can keep growing them - Their homes are sinking fast. Can their community survive?Their homes are sinking fast. Can their community survive?
- Humpback whales face a major setback from climate changeHumpback whales face a major setback from climate change
- The Queen owns Britain's seabed. That's hindering conservation.The Queen owns Britain's seabed. That's hindering conservation.
History & Culture
- How the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from BritainHow the Declaration of Independence wooed Americans from Britain
- The great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archiveThe great hunt for the world's first LGBTQ archive
- Stolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returnedStolen a century ago, Bruce’s Beach has finally been returned
- ‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition‘This is me, as I am’: Photographing my own gender transition
- How historians are documenting the lives of transgender peopleHow historians are documenting the lives of transgender people
- The tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade rulingThe tumultuous history that led to the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling
Science
- Young adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for scienceYoung adults are volunteering to get COVID-19—for science
- Why a placebo can work—even when you know it's fakeWhy a placebo can work—even when you know it's fake
- Biggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial lifeBiggest bacterium ever found shakes our view of microbial life
- Fossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creaturesFossil-finding ants amass huge haul of ancient creatures
- Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.Many women struggle to breastfeed. Scientists are starting to ask why.
- See a rare alignment of all the planets in the night skySee a rare alignment of all the planets in the night sky
Travel
- Escape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinationsEscape the heat at these 10 cool U.S. destinations
- Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way.
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- Best of Europe
Want to see the real Paris? Walk this way. - Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages
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- Best of Europe
Where to find epic adventure in Europe’s best small villages - Swoon over these romantic European villages
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- Best of Europe
Swoon over these romantic European villages - 6 European villages that tell hidden histories
- Travel
- Best of Europe
6 European villages that tell hidden histories