Earth Gratitude: How Natalie Pace Is Inspiring a More Conscious, Sustainable Way of Living

There are moments in life when we begin to see things differently—not because the world has changed, but because we have.

For many of us, that shift begins with awareness. We start to notice the choices we make each day, the habits we’ve formed without thinking, and the quiet ways our lives are connected to something much bigger than ourselves.

In this conversation, we explore a powerful idea: what happens when gratitude becomes more than a feeling—and instead becomes a way of living.

Earth Gratitude, by Natalie Pace is a movement that invites us to reconnect—with ourselves, with each other, and with the planet we call home. It reminds us that small, everyday choices carry meaning, and that living with intention doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can begin right where we are.

To explore this idea more deeply, we had the opportunity to connect with Natalie Pace, founder of Earth Gratitude.

Natalie brings a unique and thoughtful perspective to the conversation—one that blends gratitude, awareness, and everyday action in a way that feels both empowering and accessible. What began as a personal passion has grown into a global movement, inspiring people to live with greater intention and connection to the world around them.

In this interview, Natalie shares the story behind Earth Gratitude, what it really means to live in alignment with the planet, and how simple shifts in awareness can lead to meaningful, lasting change.

What inspired you to create Earth Gratitude, and what was the moment you realized this message needed a larger platform? 

As so much of what we do, it started out as something I was doing for myself... I wanted to promote my book The Gratitude Game. I told my fantastic book agent, Bill Gladstone, that we should host a gratitude summit. He said, "Let's do it on Earth Day!" Earth Gratitude was born. We knew it was meant to be because our first year we got H.M. King Charles III and EARTHDAY.ORG to contribute to our free picturesque ebooks. (You can see them at EarthGratitude.org.) However, I'd been studying sustainability as my passion project for decades. The groundwork for success had already been laid. 

The idea of combining gratitude with environmental action is so unique. How did that connection come to you?

When we are grateful for something, we treasure it. Living in greater harmony with Mother Nature requires awareness, education on what that really means and the willingness to change our habits. I was hard hit on Earth Day 2010 when the BP oil spill disaster was polluting the Gulf of Mexico. Every time I filled up my car with gasoline, I knew I was voting for oil with my dollars. We started Bike Power Weekend in 2011 with a small group of others, encouraging everyone to garage their car on Earth Day weekend. I still think that is a great idea! In fact, I just did an interview with Lesley Lowe, the executive director of Stanford University's Transportation. They are a platinum bike-friendly university. Over 60% of their students bike on campus and almost a third of students, faculty and staff walk, bike or take public transportation to Stanford. When nature is at the heart of the equation, we end up with great outcomes, including clean air, healthy food and water and less gridlock and road rage. 

What does “Earth Gratitude” mean to you on a deeper level, beyond sustainability or environmental awareness? 

Sustainability and environmental awareness are simply a great foundation for a healthy and happy life. Feeling healthy and happy at the age of 65 is something I'm grateful for, and I'm SURE my clean lifestyle is responsible. There are so many outright lies that we are all susceptible to believing in (like recycling). So, I want everyone informed and also making the connection with the disposable cup they drink and toss daily with the tree chopped down or the microplastic in our bloodstream, breast milk, testes, etc. Once we understand the big picture, it's easy to make the lifestyle choices that are going to tip the scale in our favor -- not just for future generations, but right here and now, too. 

How can practicing gratitude for the planet actually change the way people live and make decisions in their daily lives?

Would we say, "Thank you, I love you!" to a child and then toss a can of gasoline on their head? Every change that we think we make "for the planet" is actually for ourselves. (The planet has survived the extinction of many species.) However, gratitude connects us with the planet enough to start seeing the consequences of our own actions. We can't give lip service if we are really grateful for something. We have to act differently. 

Many people care about the environment but feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. What are a few simple, meaningful actions anyone can take right now? #TheresNoExcuseForSingleUse. Wear natural fibers and stop wearing oil clothing (polyester, et al.) Take public transportation, ride a bike or walk, especially for local errands. Work from home some of the time, if you're able to. Compost food scaps. (Many cities mandate you do this in the green yard waste bin.) Educate yourself and your friends. Read The Power of 8 Billion: It's Up to Us and take our 21-Day Earth Gratitude Challenge. Watch our fun, informative 5-part Earth Gratitude docuseries that covers Eco Kids, Animals & Conservation, Everyday Sustainability, Food & Health and the Power of Gratitude. EarthGratitude.org. 

Your work highlights everyday choices such as food, transportation, and consumption. Why do you believe small individual actions matter so much on a global scale? 

They can't sell it to us if we don't buy it. Voting with our dollars is the most powerful tool we have. That's The Power of 8 Billion and It's Up to Us.

Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Through your videos and storytelling, you showcase real people making a difference. What have been some of the most inspiring stories or moments for you?

They are all inspiring. It's inspiring to learn that King Charles III has been speaking, acting and doing things to raise environmental awareness for over half a century, as one of the world's most steadfast eco leaders. (Watch his new documentary, Finding Harmony: A King's Vision.) Ron Finley fought the system in South Central Los Angeles and is now a famous Gangsta Gardener. Dr. Sherridan Ross retired from being a surgeon and used his skills as a master gardener to found the Compton Community Garden. I love seeing talented artists like HilatheEarth, with her educational and poignant raps. It keeps me young at heart being inspired multiple times throughout the day with people who are making green choices in their own backyard in a way that ripples and resonates around the world. 

Why is storytelling such an important tool in helping people understand and engage with complex global issues?

King Charles III is famous for saying, "Seeing is believing." When you watch the Common Ground film, or even just look at the poster, seeing Farmer Gabe Brown with one foot on dead dirt that was washed away by the rain, and one foot on the living soil and crops that make up his regenerative farm, the facts come to life. I just watched Plastic Detox. Spoiler alert: 50% of the couples who couldn't conceive got pregnant in just a few short months of eliminating the toxic chemicals in plastic from their lives. Storytelling is a great truth delivery tool because you see the results and that will inspire us to change. 

What do you think needs to shift in our collective mindset in order to create lasting change for the planet?

Once we understand that it was never a good idea to put oil products all over our bodies and food, in other words AWARENESS of the truth, then we will be in a RACE to get clean and healthy. There are already easy, affordable, clean solutions. We only need to understand why and then the adoption will hit a tipping point. 

How can families and younger generations become more engaged in this movement in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming?

Our Earth Gratitude project offers the solutions in a fun, engaging way. Register at EarthGratitude.org for our 21-Day Challenge. You'll be inspired, and every day, you'll be prompted to make a change. After 21 days, you'll have a new habit of living green. There is a great deal of other content on the website and on our YouTube channel and Facebook page (@EarthGratitude) and Instagram (@Earth_Gratitude).

You’ve brought together a wide range of global voices and contributors. What have you learned from these collaborations?

Every organization is doing important work. They educate our team on exactly what they're doing and why. No one person or organization has all the solutions. We're stronger together. By featuring so many, we're able to offer a continuing education course for people who can start with what is most interesting to them, and then move on to the next thing once that is mastered. Would you like to start by saving the rainforest? Ok: how about supporting The Pachamama Alliance, the Achuar People who are protecting the water and trees and make sure that you are not voting for rainforest beef and the destruction of the earth's lungs with your consumption dollars? We offer many informative blogs on these topics that help us to make the connection between the challenges that are happening around the world, and how our habits and choices are actually causing the problem. 

What’s next for Earth Gratitude, and how do you hope this movement continues to grow and evolve?

We're going to start a network of supporters who can influence the next Challenge. We're also open to a producer or family foundation to partner with us on our next mini-film or docuseries. (We remain grateful to filmmaker Alvin Tam and songwriter/singer extraordinaire Sia for donating her song "Miracles" for one of our Earth Gratitude films.) Right now, however, we're encouraging everyone to have a sustainability celebration on Saturday for one hour at 8:30 p.m. in their own time zone and tag us as a collaborator on Instagram so that we can share a global celebration that starts in Australia and ripples around the world for 24 hours. 

We’d also love anything else you’d like to share: advice, reflections, or a message for anyone who wants to live with more intention, gratitude, and impact.

Join us on social media for daily inspiration and information and on the website for the videos, docuseries and blogs at EarthGratitude.org!

As you reflect on Natalie’s insights, remember this: living with gratitude isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness. It’s about noticing the choices we make, understanding their impact, and gently shifting in ways that feel aligned with who we are and the world we want to live in. You don’t have to do everything. You just have to begin.

Because when gratitude becomes part of how we live, not just something we feel—it changes everything. It deepens our connection, strengthens our purpose, and reminds us that even the smallest actions can create meaningful impact.

And maybe that’s the real invitation here: to live with intention, to choose with care, and to recognize that the life we’re creating—together—starts with the choices we make today.