In an interview with Big Think, he discussed the moment it occurred to him that society had gotten everything wrong.

You see, Garan experienced the so-called ‘overview effect,’ which occurs in many astronauts when they view Earth from space.

BBC’s Sky at Night magazine says it can result in astronauts experiencing ‘spiritual awakenings’ or deepen their connection to our planet, with Apollo 14’s Edgar Mitchell describing it as an ‘explosion of awareness,’ per Neotic.

For those privileged enough to see Earth from such a unique vantage point, it can trigger some unexpected and overwhelming emotions.

The astronaut’s viewpoint of Earth led him to a ‘sobering realization.’ Credit: Alamy
The astronaut said when he looked out of the window, he came to a ‘sobering’ conclusion.

“I saw the paparazzi-like flashes of lightning storms, I saw dancing curtains of auroras that seemed so close it was as if we could reach out and touch them,” Garan recounted to Big Think. “And I saw the unbelievable thinness of our planet’s atmosphere.”

He added: “In that moment, I was hit with the sobering realization that that paper-thin layer keeps every living thing on our planet alive.”

Garan said he didn’t see the economy, instead, he saw ‘an iridescent biosphere teeming with life,’ continuing: “But since our human-made systems treat everything, including the very life-support systems of our planet, as the wholly owned subsidiary of the global economy, it’s obvious from the vantage point of space that we’re living a lie.”

Former NASA astronaut Ron Garan says the experience ‘just blew him away.’ Credit: Alamy
Garan also opened up about the ‘profound experience’ in an interview with Forbes, describing how it ‘just blew him away.’

He added: “The other thing I felt, and I can’t really explain it, is that being completely detached from Earth also made me feel deeply connected with everyone on the planet. It was this overwhelming kinship.”

Garan’s observations underscore an important message: we need to shift our priorities.

Since returning to Earth, the former astronaut has become a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship and the importance of prioritizing planetary health over economic gains.

He founded the Manna Energy Foundation, a nonprofit that centers on ensuring clean drinking water access in developing nations, and the project Fragile Oasis, which strives for positive global change.

As humanity continues to reach for the stars, the lessons learned from space may be the key to ensuring a thriving Earth for generations.