If the photosynthesis of terrestrial plants and aquatic algae as well as cyanobacteria is defined as natural photosynthesis, then artificial photosynthesis is such a process that the man-made devices such as artificial leaf, photo-electrochemical cell, photo-bioreactor based on the principle or inspiration of natural photosynthesis convert sunlight energy into chemical energy and store in food or fuel such as hydrogen gas. Natural photosynthesis cannot fulfil the requirements of the human society due to its low efficiency, limitation of environment conditions, and difficulty of biomass harvesting from the seas and lakes. Artificial photosynthesis is so glamorous and hopeful that it appears to be the only way to overcome three urgent problems of food, energy and environment or global climate change in the world. This review introduces briefly the importance of artificial photosynthesis and great strides in the research area over the last decade, especially in aspects of artificial hydrogen production and CO_2 reduction, in order to arouse the interest of more peoples and stimulate the research and development of artificial photosynthesis.