Pictures That Will Make You Want to Give the Earth a Hug

Today is all about our big, bold, and beautiful planet. Since 1970, April 22 has been recognized as a day to celebrate our surroundings and demonstrate support for protecting them. When you look at these pictures of our diverse planet, it's clear our environment is worth respecting. From the dry Sahara Desert to the massive waves of the Pacific, take a virtual trip around the globe for Earth Day.

Pacific Ocean, Tahiti
Getty | Petrus_Paulus

Pacific Ocean, Tahiti

Aurora Borealis, Norway
Getty | Tim Graham

Aurora Borealis, Norway

Kruger National Park, South Africa
Getty | Cameron Spencer

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Mount Fuji, Japan
Getty | TORU YAMANAKA

Mount Fuji, Japan

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Getty | AFP

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Grand Canyon, Arizona
Getty | JOE KLAMAR

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Bryce Canyon, Utah
Getty | Ethan Miller

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Big Sur, California
Getty | George Rose

Big Sur, California

Ko Tapu Island, Thailand
Thinkstock | sealine

Ko Tapu Island, Thailand

Provence, France
Getty | JOEL SAGET

Provence, France

Blue Grotto, Italy
Thinkstock | CAHKT

Blue Grotto, Italy

Niagara Falls, Canada
Getty | DON EMMERT

Niagara Falls, Canada

Le Touessrok, Mauritius
Getty | David Cannon

Le Touessrok, Mauritius

Sahara Desert, Morocco
Getty | FADEL SENNA

Sahara Desert, Morocco

Yosemite, California
Getty | Justin Sullivan

Yosemite, California

Lincolnshire, England
Getty | Oli Scarff

Lincolnshire, England

Lake Tahoe, California
Getty | George Rose

Lake Tahoe, California

Algodones Dunes, Mexico
Getty

Algodones Dunes, Mexico

Lake Louise, Canada
Getty | JOE KLAMAR

Lake Louise, Canada

The Highlands, Scotland
Getty | MartinM303

The Highlands, Scotland