With Earth Day quickly approaching (April 22nd), thoughts worldwide are coalescing around the state of this blue planet and our collective efforts to rally the energies needed for a dramatic course correction. In these uncertain times, inspiration can be gleaned from last year’s event, The Universe in Verse, an evening of poetry readings and stories inspired by science, celebrating the joys of the natural world, both the beauty of it and the challenges we face in maintaining a healthy biosphere and practicing sustainability in our everyday lives.

The following video covers the entire event.

This year’s event promises to be equally rewarding. For more details and a roster of the participants in this annual benefit, visit the Brain Pickings microsite.