Earth Day, according to the channel, has become the planet's largest civic event, with more than a billion people participating each year. 

The channel has indicated that, usually, people worldwide would step outside to help clean up our planet, plant trees and restore the beauty of Earth. But this year it will be different, as most of the world is indoors.

National Geographic is aiming to bring the natural world inside to inspire hope and awe for the planet. The channel will be commemorating Earth Day with three global specials:

Beginning at 18:00 CAT, simulcast on National Geographic and National Geographic Wild, the two-hour documentary special JANE GOODALL: THE HOPE takes viewers through chapters of Dr. Goodall's journey, highlighting how she inspires future generations.

Following this, viewers will be given the opportunity to peer behind the camera to see what it takes to capture wildlife in their natural habitats, with National Geographic explorers-in-residence Beverly and Dereck Joubert in OKAVANGO: RIVER OF DREAMS – Divine Journeys.

Additionally, viewers can join National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore on his quest to photograph some of the rarest animals in the world in PHOTO ARK: RAREST CREATURES.

"The need to protect our planet has never been more urgent, and we're using Earth Day's 50th as an opportunity to inspire viewers through the wonders of our planet and its incredible species for viewers around the world," says Courteney Monroe, president at National Geographic Global Television Networks.

"With the Earth Day takeover across all of our networks and platforms, we are able to reach the largest audience possible to celebrate this momentous day and ensure that viewers fall in love with our planet and act to protect it," adds Monroe.

National Geographic's Earth Day event also features natural-history programming, including recent feature documentaries such as:
  • Mystery Gorilla
  • Vertical Limit
  • Dark Heart of the Earth
  • Fire & Ice
  • Hostile Planet
  • Wild
  • One Strange Rock, and
  • an array of Destination Wild specials.
Throughout the day, the channel has indicated that additional featurettes will showcase the National Geographic explorers and photographers working around the world to protect and honour our planet.

The channel says that this Earth Day programming across National Geographic's networks complements efforts by the company's full portfolio.

National Geographic magazine's April issue is timed to Earth Day and aims to explore broad issues affecting the planet today. It is the magazine's first-ever flip issue, as two mini-magazines take an optimistic and a pessimistic vision of 2070.

The issue can be found online and on newsstands.

A special Save the Animals! issue of National Geographic Kids magazine, on newsstands now, focuses on five previously endangered animals that have made a comeback and provides children-friendly tips on how we can continue to save animals.

"The life-long passion that conservationists such as Dr Jane Goodall, Joel Sartore and Beverley and Dereck Joubert have dedicated to their respective fields is nothing short of inspirational and remarkable," says Evert van der Veer, vice president at Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Africa. 

"Through these special Earth Day airings, we hope that viewers across the continent will be equally motivated to become involved and play their part in conservation efforts close to their heart," concludes van der Veer. 

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com. You can also follow National Geographic on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.