2026 NIH Earth Day

Please join NIH in celebrating Earth Day held concurrently with Take-Your- Child-to-Workday on April 23, 2026, from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm on the front lawn of Building 1. This year's Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet," reminds us that collective action across the globe protects vital natural resources. While all natural resources are essential, in this article the unique impact of oceans on sustaining biodiversity, regulating climate and supporting human health is highlighted.

Healthy oceans are essential to safe and resilient navigational waters across the United States, directly impacting commerce, transportation and coastal communities. NIH's compliance-driven practices, in alignment with Clean Water Act regulations, contribute to the broader federal effort in protecting these waters. Safeguarding ocean and water systems is integral to advancing public health and national resilience.

The ocean contains most of the Earth's living space and is home to an extraordinary diversity of life — from microscopic plankton to large marine mammals. It represents over 90% of the planet's habitable space and hosts hundreds of thousands of known species, with many more yet to be discovered.¹ This biodiversity underpins essential ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling, food webs, and habitat provision, making oceans central to the stability and resilience of global ecosystems.²

Oceans produce about half of the oxygen we breathe and store significantly more carbon than terrestrial ecosystems, helping with moderating temperature and acting as a regulator of the Earth's climate system.^3,4 Marine fisheries provide a major source of protein for billions of people worldwide, and ocean-based industries support economic stability for coastal communities.³ Oceans also contribute to human health through biomedical discoveries—marine organisms have been used to develop diagnostics and potential treatments for diseases.³ Beyond physical health, oceans support cultural, recreational, and mental well-being, reinforcing their importance to overall human welfare.⁵

As we reflect on Earth Day and beyond, the message is clear: what happens beneath the waves does not stay there. The oceans connect us all — across continents, economies and ecosystems. Protecting them means protecting the stability and sustainability of life on Earth itself. Learn about many other conservation measures of natural resources and fun NIH Earth Day activities in the Take Action article.​​