'It can be done.' - an Earth Day message

In summer 2018, ESA joined with the musician Vangelis and the family of scientist Prof. Stephen Hawking to beam a message marking his passing to the nearest black hole. On 22 April 2020, Earth Day, we're transmitting this poignant message to all of planet Earth - as a message of hope, to say that, by working together, we can overcome this crisis and others facing humankind.

The message reads:

“I am very aware of the preciousness of time. Seize the moment. Act now.

“I have spent my life travelling across the Universe inside my mind. Through theoretical physics I have sought to answer some of the great questions but there are other challenges, other big questions which must be answered, and these will also need a new generation who are interested, engaged and with an understanding of science.

“How will we feed an ever-growing population, provide clean water, generate renewable energy, prevent and cure disease and slow down global climate change?

“I hope that science and technology will provide the answers to these questions, but it will take people, human beings with knowledge and understanding to implement the solution.

“One of the great revelations of the space age has been a perspective that has given humanity on ourselves. When we see the Earth from space we see ourselves as a whole; we see the unity and not the divisions. It is such a simple image, with a compelling message: one planet, one human race.

“We are here together, and we need to live together with tolerance and respect. We must become global citizens.

“I have been enormously privileged through my work to be able to contribute to our understanding of the Universe. But it would be an empty Universe indeed, if it were not for the people I love and who love me.

“We are all time travellers journeying together into the future. But let us work together to make that future a place we want to visit. Be brave, be determined, overcome the odds. It can be done.

“It can be done.”

Text and narration: Prof. Stephen Hawking (© The Estate of Stephen Hawking)

Music: The Stephen Hawking Tribute by Vangelis (composed, arranged, produced and performed by Vangelis) 2018

Images:
ISS - ESA/NASA
Sentinel images - contain modified Copernicus Sentinel data/ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
COVID-19 testing - ©Governor Tom Wolf/Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY 2.0
Sentinel 2 animation - ©ESA/ATG Medialab
Earthrise - NASA
Rosetta Earth 2009 - ESA/Rosetta/MPS for OSIRIS team/M. McCaughrean
BepiColombo launch - ©ESA/CNES/Arianespace
Black hole - ©EHT Collaboration, CC BY 4.0
LHA 120-N150 - ©ESA/Hubble, NASA, Digitized Sky Survey 2, CC BY 4.0, D. De Martin
BepiColombo Earth flyby ©ESA/BepiColombo/MTM, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO





#ESA
#EarthDay2020
#StephenHawking

[crisblan]

Vangelis is now part of the universe alongside Stephen Hawking. thank you for your's contributions to the world. good trip to both of you 🌹🥲

[deploynz]

RIP Dr Hawking and Vangelis. Thank for everything you have done for us.

[meunomeerique]

''When we see the Earth from space, we see ourselves as a whole''.
This is why I almost always cry watching our home from up there...
This really inspires me to study and work with sustainability.
Thank you so much, ESA, Hawking, and everyone who cares about this beautiful planet we were born in, something to be proud of!
Let's fight to keep our planet healthy and show our gratefulness for being part of this huge ecosystem.

[sufiest]

And the music.... of course by the genius VANGELIS

[joxeluman]

Thank you Esa for images, thank Stephen for your legacy and thank you Vangelis for your music. RIP

[tomwatts]

Let's hope that once the pandemic has passed, people will turn their attention to fighting all of the other global issues

[GerritSchulze]

Many thanks ESA, Stephen Hawking and Vangelis, very touching.
After we have overcome the pandemic let us turn to the next challenge with the same decisiveness: to save earth from the man-made climate change - for our own good and our children's future.

[kevinnegronleon]

Beautiful tribute to our Planet and Stephen Hawking!

[mikebasil]

It can indeed be done. Thank you, Stephen. 🌎🌏🌍🌌💓

[mikeymcmikeface]

Very beautiful. Relaxing and calming.

Exactly what I needed right now!

[tannuagrawal]

Happy Earth Day
Please keep our mother earth clean and healthy for survival

[VENKATESH]

Don't know why eyes pouring waters This world will never such a Great person like Stephen Hawking, Your are always great voices to be heard at this time give confidence, Urges to act on Unity, Thanks to ESA for this kind post, A love from common man from india

[SphereProGaming]

I got goose bumps and teary eyes when I saw this.

[nandinisachdev]

Thank you ESA for this wonderful message. It's amazing😊.Happy Earth day

[sane]

Stephen Hawking is and was a remarkable man.

Nice impressions and a great message.

[dennissim]

Happy earth day 2020 form Singapore

[ghhost]

Amazing images of our Earth. Thank you for this video ESA. Happy Earth Day!

[vcnbcn]

Vangelis, he has the secret of the Universe symphony . Thx

[jcayres]

Brilliantly said, Prof. Hawking. I know I speak for millions when I say we love you & thank you for all of the knowledge & wisdom you left us with before your departure. Beautifully composed and orchestrated, Vangelis. Many thanks to all who created this remarkable video.

[josephlezano]

Great images . Admirable tribute to professor Steven Hawkins . Happy Earth Day ! Stay safe and take care. From British Gibraltar UK Overseas Territory 🇬🇧.