American NASA astronaut Ron Garan, who spent nearly six months in orbit around Earth, spoke about a moment that forever changed his perspective on humanity, the planet, and his own life.
During 178 days in space, Garan completed 2,842 orbits around Earth, observing it from the window of the International Space Station. According to him, it was there that he came to a realization that cannot be obtained on the surface of the planet. This is reported by Unilad.
The astronaut spoke about a state known as the "overview effect." It is usually experienced by people who see Earth in its entirety from space. For Ron Garan, this moment was a true revelation.
The man realized that the view of the planet from above clearly shows how fragile it is and how closely all life on Earth is interconnected. In his opinion, global warming, deforestation, and the extinction of certain animal species are one big problem, rather than separate issues.
"We simply do not perceive ourselves as a planet," noted the astronaut.
How the 'Overview Effect' Changes Perception of the Planet
Describing what he saw, Garan recalled flashes of lightning resembling paparazzi, dancing curtains of auroras, and the astonishing thinness of Earth's atmosphere. At that moment, he was particularly struck by the realization that life on Earth is held together by a "layer as thin as paper."
From orbit, the astronaut saw a shimmering biosphere filled with life, but he did not see the economy and what people are engaged in. This, in his opinion, became the most sobering moment. He came to understand that human-created systems place the economy above the very foundation of life.
Such an experience became a true enlightenment for the American and a reminder of how interdependent humanity is.
Upon returning to Earth, Ron Garan continued working on initiatives aimed at creating a cleaner, safer, and more peaceful future. He is convinced that humanity needs to reassess its priorities.
According to him, people should shift from the mindset of "economy — society — planet" to the principle of "planet — society — economy." Only in this way, the astronaut believes, can humanity's further evolutionary path be possible.
