The world from above: A new perspective on climate change
The Earth from above is a breathtaking sight. It's a perspective that can only be gained by looking down from the sky, and it's a view that has the power to change our understanding of the world. This is especially true when it comes to climate change, a topic that often feels overwhelming and distant. But through the lens of aerial photography, we can see the impact of climate change in a new light, and perhaps even find hope for the future.
One of the most striking examples of this is the work of Daniel Beltrá, whose shot of Iceland's Høvíta River (see top of page) is a masterpiece of composition and color. From above, the river's blues and golds, formed by a mixture of glacial meltwater and sediment, marble together in a way that resembles an abstract painting. It's a reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet, and a powerful statement on the impact of climate change.
But it's not just about the aesthetics. Aerial photography allows us to see the bigger picture, to understand the scale and scope of climate change. Sebastião Salgado's aerial image of Alaska's Brooks Range (below) is a case in point. It brings the entire mountain range and its river system into a single composition that's awe-inspiring in its breadth and detail. It's a reminder of the interconnectedness of our planet, and the impact that climate change has on these systems.
And then there's the work of Paul Nicklen, whose drone shot of a polar bear crossing sea ice (see below) strips away everything you'd see from ground level: eye contact, a sense of human-animal scale, a sentimental feeling towards the subject. What's left is a clean, almost geometrical composition, with the bear just a single white shape next to a crack in the ice. Somehow, that makes it even more poignant, emphasizing its vulnerability against forces far larger than itself.
Richard Mosse pushes that sense of detachment even further with his shot of log barges from above. His use of infrared, rendering the vegetation red and water black, is an inspired decision, swapping objectivity for a clear editorial line in the visual itself. It's a powerful statement on the impact of climate change, and a reminder of the importance of seeing things from a different perspective.
But what makes this approach particularly fascinating is the way it challenges our assumptions and encourages us to think more deeply about the world. It's not just about taking pretty pictures from above; it's about pulling countless small details into a broader picture that reveals larger patterns and deeper truths. And that's what makes aerial photography such a powerful tool for understanding climate change.
In my opinion, the key takeaway from this exhibition is the importance of seeing things from a different perspective. Whether you're shooting wildlife, landscapes, or other natural phenomena, there's often an argument for stepping back, up, and outwards from the detail, and seeing things from a wider perspective that can tell an altogether different story. It's a lesson that's as relevant today as it was when the Earthrise photo sparked the modern ecological movement.
So, if you get the chance to see the Extinction: Renewal, Art of a Living Planet exhibition at the Eden Project in Cornwall, England, I highly recommend it. It's a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of our planet, and a call to action for all of us to take a step back and see the world from a new perspective.
