Earth Day is the one day a year that the world comes together to celebrate the fragile island in space that we all call home. It really is a bit strange, however, that we only do this once a year because we all know that every day should really be Earth Day. The actions we take, the influence we have, and the things we say today, tomorrow, and the next day matter to the future of this planet.
We literally have the fate of this tiny blue dot in the palm of our hands. And having a consistent and solid voice coming from all the people of our world is crucial for the message of Earth to be heard. So, rather than just speaking with our voice, we thought it would be fitting to search out and listen to others, past and present, on this Earth Day. Astronauts, explorers, politicians, writers, and artists have always had different perspectives, but in the end, the message is the same.
"In our obscurity - in all this vastness - there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves. It is up to us." Carl Sagan, Astronomer / Astrobiologist / Science Communicator
“The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water, and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.” Sir David Attenborough, BBC Broadcaster / Natural Historian
"You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." Jane Goodall, Primatologist / Anthropologist
"We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depended on it. Because they do." Sylvia Earle, Marine Biologist / Explorer
"The sea, the great unifier, is man's only hope. Now, as never before, the old phrase has a literal meaning: we are all in the same boat." Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Founder of SCUBA Diving / Famed Ocean Explorer
“If we save our wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves.” Steve Irwin, The Crocodile Hunter
"When something is important enough, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor." Elon Musk, Tesla / SpaceX / Entrepreneur
“When it comes to ocean conservation, we are knocking on open doors and change is happening. But we all need to protect the ocean for generations to come.” Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic / Virgin Galactic / Entrepreneur
"It suddenly struck me that that tiny pea, pretty and blue, was the Earth. I put up my thumb and shut one eye, and my thumb blotted out the planet Earth. I didn't feel like a giant. I felt very, very small." Neil Armstrong, United States Apollo Astronaut
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States
“This issue is bigger than all of us, and we cannot wait for the next generation to solve it. We are running out of excuses to not take action, and running out of time.” Danny Faure, President of Seychelles
"The Earth is a fine place and worth fighting for." Ernest Hemingway, Novelist / Sportsman
What’s the use of a fine house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on? Henry David Thoreau, Essayist / Poet
"For whatever we lose (like a you or a me) it’s always ourselves we find in the sea." E. E. Cummings, Poet / Author
"The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul." Robert Wyland, Marine Artist
"The Earth does not belong to us: we belong to the Earth." Marlee Matlin, Author / Activist for the Deaf
"The ocean makes me feel really smart and it makes me put my whole life in perspective... it humbles you and makes you feel almost like you've been baptized. I feel born again when I get out of the ocean." Beyoncé, Singer / Songwriter / Producer
"I think our planet and nature is really beautiful but it’s also in danger.” Dominic Thiem, ATP Tennis Pro / 4ocean Influencer
Pretty amazing words from some incredible people, but tomorrow will be a new day and as the sun rises once again, we hope you're as fired up as we are to make a difference. As if you needed any further inspiration, here is one final quote that really encapsulates what 4ocean is about as a company and what all of the extremely dedicated people that work here believe... Let's all get after it together!
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, Cultural Anthropologist
Do you have any special Earth Day plans? If so, share your story in the comment section below. We'd love to hear about it. Also, head on over to our Discover 4ocean Facebook Group and make sure to follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up to date on all things 4ocean!
