Tobias Chen (78) -Moon Gardener

Meet Tobias Chen, Moon Gardener, who, approaching 80, stands as the oldest inhabitant on humanity’s lunar outpost. With his green thumb and infinite patience, Tobias has undertaken a crucial mission—to ensure the self-reliance of the 100-strong moonbase.

In 2019, Tobias read a shocking article. When given the option of being a YouTuber, teacher, professional athlete, musician, or astronaut, American children were more keen on becoming YouTubers than astronauts. However, the majority of Chinese kids selected that they wanted to be astronauts. A Chinese-American raised in the States, he was saddened by the lack of interest in space exploration in the America. Despite being in his mid-50s, he decided to hop onto the opportunity to apply his professional expertise as a botanist to a new topography: the Moon.

Guided by his profound understanding of plants, Tobias has become a revered figure, amassing a devoted following of his “New World Plant Life” channel on the Moonaloon social network. His philosophical musings on the interconnectedness of plant life and the Earth have captivated hearts and minds across the galaxy (we’re sure aliens are learning from him too). Through his videos, he ignites a sense of wonder and reminds us of our responsibility to cherish and protect the fragile ecosystems that sustain us.

But Tobias’s impact extends far beyond creating life on the moon’s desolate landscapes. His impactful stories had a large part in altering the ambitious Mars colonization missions, redirecting the world leaders’ attention to the urgent need to address the climate crisis on Earth and making the preservation of our home planet the paramount priority for the Martian base.

Tobias Chen has emerged as a true visionary, illuminating the path towards a brighter future for humanity. His unwavering commitment to tending the lunar gardens serves as a powerful metaphor for our collective responsibility to nurture and protect our fragile Earth. Tobias reminds us that by cultivating hope and empowering one another, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.