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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Animals
- Goliath grouper fishing may be allowed in Florida againGoliath grouper fishing may be allowed in Florida again
- 86,000 wild mustangs that roam the West are at the center of raging controversy86,000 wild mustangs that roam the West are at the center of raging controversy
- Major chinchilla supplier in U.S. court for animal welfare issuesMajor chinchilla supplier in U.S. court for animal welfare issues
- Behind the scenes at the world’s largest falcon race
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Behind the scenes at the world’s largest falcon race
Environment
- Restoring protections to Bears Ears will likely spark legal fightsRestoring protections to Bears Ears will likely spark legal fights
- More 'good fire' could help California control future catastrophesMore 'good fire' could help California control future catastrophes
- Wildfire smoke blowing across the U.S. is more toxic than we thoughtWildfire smoke blowing across the U.S. is more toxic than we thought
- Can a new way to measure tropical rainforest vulnerability help save them?Can a new way to measure tropical rainforest vulnerability help save them?
- This summer could change our understanding of extreme heatThis summer could change our understanding of extreme heat
- Climate change goals and oil production are clashing in the U.S.Climate change goals and oil production are clashing in the U.S.
- Experts fear Germany’s deadly floods are a glimpse into climate futureExperts fear Germany’s deadly floods are a glimpse into climate future
- Nearly half of Americans say climate change has become a bigger threatNearly half of Americans say climate change has become a bigger threat
History & Culture
- A year after Beirut’s horrific port explosion, ‘nobody cares that people died’A year after Beirut’s horrific port explosion, ‘nobody cares that people died’
- Indonesia is a new COVID-19 epicenter. The peak has yet to come.Indonesia is a new COVID-19 epicenter. The peak has yet to come.
- Africa’s last absolute monarchy is shaken, as protestors defy Eswatini’s kingAfrica’s last absolute monarchy is shaken, as protestors defy Eswatini’s king
- The bombing of Hamburg foreshadowed the horrors of HiroshimaThe bombing of Hamburg foreshadowed the horrors of Hiroshima
- Haitians reflect on the past while confronting the futureHaitians reflect on the past while confronting the future
- Last meal of sacrificial bog body was surprisingly unsurprisingLast meal of sacrificial bog body was surprisingly unsurprising
Science
- Struggling to assess pandemic risks? You’re not alone.Struggling to assess pandemic risks? You’re not alone.
- Biggest U.S. earthquake in more than 50 years strikes Alaska—here’s what we can learnBiggest U.S. earthquake in more than 50 years strikes Alaska—here’s what we can learn
- Prehistoric wild dog found at iconic human fossil sitePrehistoric wild dog found at iconic human fossil site
- 890-million-year-old sponge may be oldest animal yet found890-million-year-old sponge may be oldest animal yet found
- Here's why the CDC reversed course on masks indoorsHere's why the CDC reversed course on masks indoors
Travel
- The revolutionary idea behind America’s urban trailsThe revolutionary idea behind America’s urban trails
- You can walk across San Francisco in a day. Here’s how.You can walk across San Francisco in a day. Here’s how.
- Explore more on a Texas-sized outdoor adventure
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Explore more on a Texas-sized outdoor adventure - Rock climbing is getting more popular—and that concerns conservationistsRock climbing is getting more popular—and that concerns conservationists