100 Places to Remember
by Maria PopovaWhat the world’s best photographers have to do with nipping carbon emissions.
Some time ago, we looked at the incredible power of photography in recording and reminding us of the precious resources we are losing with climate change. But never has a concentrated effort harnessed that power, combining it with other forces of cultural traction like celebrity, science and the art world — until now.
Enter 100 Places to Remember, a fascinating book-and-oh-so-much-more of 100 photographs from 100 different places around the world in risk of disappearing due to climate change, based on UN reports, each taken by one of the world’s greatest living photographers.
Developed by a team of Danish media and marketing industry vets, 100 Places to Remember extends far beyond the book, living as a poster series, art exhibitions, children’s book, postcards and calendars. 100 TV spots spotlight the climate threats specific to each of the places, from Tokyo’s industry-induced heat islands to Sri Lanka’s withering tea crops to the dwindling ice cap on Kilimanjaro, causing water shortages for 1 million people.
The project goes beyond simple fear appeal with 100 pragmatic tips on what each of us can do, through anything from personal day-to-day habits to political activism, to help preserve the precious beauty of this world we live in.
Part Chris Jordan, part Yann Arthus Bertrand, the project plays on a basic principle of human psychology: We often fail to consider change until we see — and deeply, emotionally, viscerally feel — just what’s at stake.
So go ahead and explore all the places for an immersion in beauty of the most resonant kind.
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