National Geographic launches Planet Possible for Earth Day

As a global event each year, Earth Day unites more than 1 billion people to take part in what is the largest civic-focused action day in the world. This year, as the world begins to gradually re-emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, National Geographic is launching Planet Possible, a new multi-platform, multi-year initiative aimed at helping consumers build on the scientific and environmental gains of the past year and empower them to live more lightly on the planet.

Through Planet Possible, National Geographic aims to offer something for every environmentally conscious consumer everywhere, reflecting the brand’s commitment to excite and motivate consumers on Earth Day and beyond.   

At its launch this Earth Day, Planet Possible will encompass an array of National Geographic content:

• A Planet Possible hub that serves as an evergreen home for National Geographic content, including stories that highlight environmental solutions, showcase the work of changemakers across the globe and empower consumers to lead more sustainable lives.

• Programming distributed on the National Geographic channel that celebrates and engenders a deeper love of the Earth and enables fans to see the world as they’ve never seen it before will be a key part of the Planet Possible initiative. Starting with Perpetual Planet: Heroes of the Oceans, airing Thursday 22 April at 21:00 on National Geographic (DStv 181), legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle and pioneers of marine science describe the incredible work being undertaken to protect our oceans’ ecosystem.

• Magazine content: National Geographic’s May issue, The Ocean Issue, is a special single-topic issue showcasing the world’s oceans, with the cover featuring National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry’s bold Secrets of the Whales project. For the first time, the magazine includes applicable tips alongside each feature to empower readers to make small changes in their daily lives and learn how those changes can impact the preservation of the planet.

• National Geographic Books: Secrets of the Whales, a magnificent book of photography from award-winning National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, with a foreword by James Cameron, offers groundbreaking new insight into the lives of the world’s largest mammals, along with their complex societies, and is on sale now. 

• National Geographic Kids Magazine: The May 2021 issue of Nat Geo Kids magazine is a special ocean-themed issue that shares tips with young readers about how to protect our planet.

• Podcasts: The sixth season of National Geographic’s acclaimed podcast, “Overheard at National Geographic,” will premiere its first episode early in celebration of Earth Day. Listeners will hear National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry swim with killer whales and learn about his discoveries around the unique culture of whales. The episode is available on National Geographic, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts and Castbox.

In addition to the launch of Planet Possible, National Geographic is commemorating Earth Day with a star-studded Earth Day Eve virtual celebration, hosted by travel expert Jessica Nabongo, and featuring performances from Angélique Kidjo, AURORA, José González, Maggie Rogers, Rostam, Valerie June, Willie Nelson, Yo-Yo Ma and Ziggy Marley, as well as a world premiere new music video from My Morning Jacket. The event will be available to watch at the Planet Possible hub on Earth Day 22 April 2021. Filmed largely in nature, the virtual concert will use music to celebrate our Earth and inspire people to preserve our planet.

The brand is also inviting social media users to participate in an uplifting social media campaign, #ShareYourSpot which unifies National Geographic’s global community around a shared love of the Earth. The campaign, kicking off on Earth Day, encourages users to share the places that bring them happiness, hope and optimism by submitting pictures using the #ShareYourSpot hashtag and joining them in a global expression of love for the planet.

Images: Supplied