I am in Copenhagen, anticipating and preparing for the United Nations Conference of Parties, ie COP15. This is basically the most important meeting ever in our human history as the world leaders and ministers descend on this rainy city to try and come to an agreement that will put the world on a path to a safe, equitable and fair future.
Not something to laugh at. Not only will the heavy hitters be in town, but the city is expected to fill up with activists, everyone from indigenous activists to anti – capitalists are expected to converge here. Many sharing strong messages, many without a good idea how to message, and just many.
Tag Archives: photography
Less Talk More Action – Video and Photography at the UN Summit
At the recent High Level UN summit in New York on climate change, several students narrated a film that was shown to all delegates calling on them to act now. It is a well produced film that pulls on the heartstrings, but you can’t help wonder how many of these will we need to produce before our political decision makers will start to make the right decisions?
Watch it and keep your eyes open for my images.
Photography of PowerShift UK – Reporting by Project Survival Media
Crossposted from Itsgettinghotinhere
More Photography and Gallery Here.
By: Adaeze Umolu
Young men and women at the reception and registration desk are in high spirits as UK Powershift 09 has brought hundreds together to tackle our climate future here in London. Irrespective of physical, cultural or social differences, the determination of these young men and woman begs one to wonder if United Kingdom or world leaders can ignore such a movement.
Powershift UK is not just another campaign event to gather young people. It is a conference where workshops have been organized to teach skills to the young people in attendance with the end result of taking a meaningful action. It is “not just swapping to low energy light bulbs, but how to campaign and communicate effectively within their local communities.” It aims to inspire and educate drawing from the vast experience of the speakers lined up for the conference such as Ian Katz, Deputy editor of The Guardian and Emily Cummings, a 22 year old inventor using her designs to tackle climate change issues within Southern African countries.
Organized by the UKYCC, and modeled after the Powershift conferences held in the USA and Australia. The passion and focus of this conference is a serious one. It is about climate change, our planet and our future. Yet, these young people have set out to tell a more positive story and get people involved. The future and our planet’s future looks bright here today and I am more optimistic as the events of the day continue that our voice will be heard. I intend to remain here for the full duration of the conference and more articles are on the way.
Writer Adaeze Umolu reports for the Project Survival Media team in Europe.
Irish Moss Photography – Canadian Geographic Photographer
My photography essay on the Irish Moss Industry on Prince Edward Island, Canada, appears this month in Canadian Geographic.
The story behind these photographs begins one blustery morning when the rain was pelting my tent whilst camping with family and friends. The dawn brought with it a slew of men and horses, crawling the North Cape beach and collecting the ‘blessing from the sea’. The photography that day was moody and dramatic as exhausted horses and jubilant men played in the stormy waves. The seawater dripped off their backs, no damper to the joy brought by the bounty the sea had bestowed upon them.
This led me to investigate further. I met Carl Doucette, a brick of a man who has spent over 50 years raking the moss off the sea bed. His arms are testament to the physical labour that has defined his life and his spirit is calming. Having spent so much time on the water, Carl’s is a man comfortable with his place in the world. We sat in his kitchen drinking coffee and tears filled his eyes as he recounted his story about the decline of his industry and his uncertain future.
Heading out on the water with Carl that afternoon will remain one of those memorable experiences as a photographer. The sun glinted off the waves and the moss raked from the sea quickly piled up in the boat. I tried my own hand at raking in the moss and was quickly reminded why Carl’s arms were small trees. It was an honour to spend time with Carl and I am indebted to his story and time for making this essay possible.
My thanks also goes out to the folks at Shea’s Irish Moss Plant in Anglo Tignish. They were kind enough to allow me to work with them for a few hours and photograph their dusty, cavernous operation. They bale the moss into packages that weigh over 120 lbs, (as eagerly demonstrated to me by Rodney, the strong man in the operation).
It was a pleasure to put this essay together. Now go out to your nearest newsstand (in Canada) and buy the issue to see the images.
In Bonn – Inter-Intersessional
In Bonn – again….
United Nations Inter-Intersessional Climate talks.
The latest feedback from some friends that have been here all week….
The draft text for Copenhagen is too long so the negotiators are arguing about how to cut it down. We can’t confuse this with cutting it down, that would be moving too quickly, first they need to argue about how to cut it down.
Till next time, from Bonn with Love.
Getty Grants for Good – Finalist
Getty Grants for Good is a program that Getty images has recently started to acknowledge and support the work that photographers and non-profit organizations are doing to work together to create a better world. It is a unique grant program and this year saw over 400 proposals from over 26 different countries. Together with the Global Youth Action Network and Fired UP! Media, I put together a proposal to continue the work that I have been doing covering youth movements and climate change. Sadly, we were not chosen as the winner of this project but we were chosen as one of the outstanding finalists.
Read more about it on PDN Pulse or Earth Times.
Opening United Nations Climate Change Talks in Bonn – Photography
crossposted from itsgettinghotinhere.org
Inspirational banners, music, drums and polar bears welcomed delegates to the thirtieth sessions of the UNFCCC Convention subsidiary bodies – SBSTA and SBI, sixth session of the AWG-LCA and the eighth session of the AWG-KP this morning at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn. Delegates in Bonn will be hammering out the draft text for the Conference of Parties (COP 15) in Copenhagen in December, 2009.
This important meeting will see an unprecedented level of youth engagement for an intercessional. Following on the successful participation at Bonn I, the international youth have descended on Bonn. Action factories, negotiator trackers, 350.org, a day of action and regular actions throughout the conference will remind the delegates that we are watching.
See more images from the first day in Bonn here. (©Robert van Waarden)
United Nations Climate Conference Negotiations – Photography Exhibit
(Thousands of youth from across the United States Rally on Capitol Hill demanding a green future.)
When the leaders and negotiators of the world converge on Bonn, Germany next week to draft the text for COP 15 in Copenhagen, the halls of the conference center will be decorated with images of the International Youth Climate Movement. I have been super busy with 15 images that will tell a variety of stories and reflect the commitement of the thousands of youth around the world that are fight to ensure their future. More to come on this shortly.
Cape Farewell Exhibit – Trafalgar Square extended
The Cape Farewell exhibit at Canada House in Trafalgar Square has been extended to run all summer long. It will be on display at the Canadian Embassy Gallery until September 2009. In London? Check it out.
Photography Exhibition and Reception – Parliament Hill – Ottawa
Below is the official information for the one time event of the Cape Farewell Photography images being hosted on Parliament hill in an event for the Cape Farewell Voyagers. Unfortunately I won’t be in attendance, but my father and grandmother will be. Also, best of luck to Jennifer Thompson who has the wonderful opportunity to speak to the leaders of Canada from a youth perspective about the climate crisis.
The Honourable Peter Milliken, M.P. Speaker of the House of Commons Canada in collaboration with The British Council is hosting a photography exhibition and reception in honour of the Cape Farewell Arctic Youth Expedition 2008 participants
and the 2008-2009 International Climate Champions.
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Room 216-N, Centre Block
Parliament Hill
L’honorable Peter Milliken, député Président de la Chambre des communes
en collaboration avec le « British Council » tenir une exposition photographique et réception en l`honneur des participants du « Cape Farewell Arctic Youth Expedition 2008 » et les Champions Internationaux du Climat 2008-2009
le mardi 26 mai 2009
17h à 19h
Pièce 216-N, édifice du Centre
Colline du Parlement