Beauty in a Time of Crisis

 I find it incredibly hard to look at the news these days, as much for the horrors they show as for the ones they ignore. The two wars that occupy the news cycle are equally horrific to the ones we ignore. There are over 20 violent conflicts on Earth today, and many of them have to do with fighting over land and dwindling resources. A few years ago, I coauthored a scientific paper about this topic. The study, published in Conservation Biology, showed that over 80 percent of the world's major armed conflicts from 1950-2000 occurred in regions identified as the most biologically diverse and threatened places on Earth.

Ghosts of the Lake | A skeletal row of trees reach toward the pillowy clouds above, like stitches coming apart at the seam between sky and water. Scenes like this give insight into how cultures across the globe have come to believe in many different worlds beyond what we understand on Earth.

Laundry on the Mandrare | Water is our most precious resource– all life on Earth depends on it. Madagascar has increasingly become vulnerable to prolonged droughts as well as powerful cyclones– a deadly combination stirred by a changing climate.

Ancestral Waters | The expression this young Kayapo girl wore was bright and innocent, perhaps unaware of the terrible fate awaiting the river that has sustained her community for generations; the construction of the sinister dam being built upstream that threatened her very existence, was almost too much to bear.

We also found that more than 90 percent of major armed conflicts – defined as those resulting in more than 1,000 deaths – occurred in countries that contain one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots, while 81 percent took place within specific hotspots. A total of 23 hotspots experienced warfare over the half-century studied. As it turns out, war amongst humans is often a clear consequence of our war on nature.

Susan Sontag wrote entire essays about the importance of having photographers on the frontlines of war so that society doesn't become numb to the pain of others. The same can be said about the war on biodiversity.

She warned us about the need to force ourselves not to look away. To look at the horror straight in the eye to make sure the suffering of others is not invisible.

Last Hunters of the North | As he lifts his eyes to the falling snowflakes, Naimanngitsoq Kristiansen reminds me that nature is a cathedral, a mosque, a sanctuary; made all the more hallowed by the first flurry of snow in Spring.

I choose to focus on capturing vivid and beautiful images of nature rather than the harsh reality of biodiversity loss and climate change. This is a question that frequently arises in interviews or discussions with fellow conservation photographers. The truth is, my archives bear witness to the grave atrocities humans have committed against nature and wildlife.

The horrors I've captured with my camera are difficult to put into words. I fully grasp the reasons scientists and conscientious reporters sound the alarm about the state of our planet.

Azul | Suspended alone in the deep blue, the silhouette of a shark passes slowly below me in the fading light. It senses the subtle changes in vibrations within the water, feeling out the vast expanse of a world as mysterious to human beings as our own solar system. “Azul” reminds me of how little we truly know about life in the deep.

While the narrative of our planet's health is undeniably sobering, as we find ourselves amid a sixth mass extinction, facing challenges like industrial fishing, climate change, and ocean pollution, it's crucial to recognize that the doomsday messages don't tell the whole story. Despite our planet's hardships, there's still immense beauty within the natural world.

Big Eyes | The vibrant marine ecosystems of French Polynesia are a result of the close kinship the island communities have always shared with the sea. Living a life where all of us, people and wildlife alike, have enough does not mean living without. It means living in true abundance.

Every inch of life on Earth is evidence that our living world is resilient and fighting to thrive once more. My mission is to share that evidence through each image, urging others to join in the effort to protect it.

The ocean's tale is one of heartbreak, resilience, and triumph.

As a camerawoman, my role is to unveil that story, piece by piece, with the hope of inspiring lasting change for the health of our entire planet. I want to demonstrate that the heart of our ocean can flourish again.

Egg Yolk Jellyfish | Life in the ocean, stunning and humbling even in its smallest expression, is the primordial engine that transforms the land, shapes our continents, gives birth to entire coastlines, and creates new life on this planet. Bridging the gap between above and below, this egg yolk jellyfish dances on the thin blue line; a symbol of how connected the two worlds are.

By showcasing the breathtaking resilience of an ocean facing incredible odds, I aim to convey that even the smallest actions can drive powerful change. Our beloved Earth can still be restored as it strives daily to regain balance, eagerly seizing every opportunity for recovery. My images aim to illustrate how beautiful our world could be if we committed to restoring it to its former glory – proof that our planet has not given up, and neither should we.

Daybreaker | This image will always remind me of the triumph I felt when our team succeeded- along with a fleet of fellow advocates and our Tide Members- in protecting the rich waters of Lofoten from oil drilling. It’s these conservation wins that fill my sails and keep me steady on our course to restoring our planet’s oceans, no matter the obstacles.

My images aim to illustrate how beautiful our world could be if we committed to restoring it to its former glory – proof that our planet has not given up, and neither should we. If you find these images beautiful now, imagine the spectacular beauty Earth can exhibit when restored to its true abundance.

The potential for a thriving and restored planet is not only within reach but also a testament to our precious home's enduring strength and resilience.

I hope you find beauty in this world, even amidst the chaos that befalls us.