Evocative images reveal how worldwide warming might resonate in our daily routines
In a bold and poignant initiative, photographers Edoardo Delille and Giulia Piermartiri have unveiled their photobook, "Atlas of the New World." This compelling work aims to visually depict what life could look like by the year 2100 in six highly climate-vulnerable regions, offering a stark reminder of the potential future impact of climate change on these areas.
The project, conceived in September 2019 after observing global climate protests, combines powerful photography with scientific data to create a compelling, educational, and awareness-raising narrative about global warming’s disproportionate effects, especially in poorer regions that contribute little to global emissions but suffer the most.
The photobook emphasizes the climate injustice theme, highlighting how countries like Mozambique, which has experienced severe droughts but contributes minimally to global greenhouse gases, bear the brunt of a crisis largely caused by wealthier nations. The creators stress that global warming is not democratic—the richest polluters cause most damage, while the poorest face devastating consequences and lack options to relocate or protect themselves effectively.
One of the standout series in "Atlas of the New World" is the "Diving Maldives," which served as the starting point for the photobook. The Maldives, the world's lowest-lying country, is at substantial risk due to rising sea levels. Despite its eco-friendly efforts, the island nation is heavily dependent on tourism, putting it at substantial risk. Edoardo Delille and Giulia Piermartiri's photographs illustrate a potential future scenario if the climate crisis isn't addressed.
In Africa, particularly Mozambique, Delille and Piermartiri worked with an NGO focused on migration, highlighting the impact of the climate crisis on the country. Africa, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, suffers significantly from the effects of the climate crisis.
The technique used by Delille and Piermartiri involved an analog process involving a battery-operated projector connected to a flash. This approach allowed them to capture unique and striking images, such as flowery green meadows superimposed onto snow on Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, and a man casually scanning the contents of his fridge as bright orange flames fill his kitchen in Paradise, California.
The conversations with people on the ground were considered the real nucleus of the project by Delille and Piermartiri. They spent a month or two in each location they covered, immersing themselves in the local communities and gaining insights into the challenges they face.
The photobook "Atlas of the New World" includes chapters on six highly-climate vulnerable areas. The visuals in each photograph are of landscapes that already experience similar weather to those forecast, making the potential future scenarios tangible and urgent.
By 2050, 80% of the Maldives' land could become uninhabitable if sea levels continue to rise at their current rate. This stark reality is just one of the many potential future scenarios depicted in "Atlas of the New World." The photobook is accompanied by comparative data and essays authored by various experts, providing a comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis and its impact on different regions.
Delille and Piermartiri were motivated to start their project after observing global climate protests. However, they later realized its potential for use in schools. They see the work as more than an artistic project; they see it as an academic-adjacent manual designed for future generations to foster climate awareness and responsibility. Through exhibitions and talks, they have found that the images immediately raise consciousness among young viewers, making the climate crisis tangible and urgent.
In conclusion, "Atlas of the New World" uses a blend of documentary photography and scientific insights to depict the extreme vulnerability of certain regions to the future consequences of climate change, intending to educate and mobilize especially younger generations on this critical global issue.
[1] Delille, E., & Piermartiri, G. (2021). Atlas of the New World. Self-published. [2] Delille, E., & Piermartiri, G. (2021). Atlas of the New World. Retrieved from https://www.atlasofthenewworld.com/
- The project, founded on a combination of scientific knowledge and technology (artificial intelligence), aims to raise awareness about environmental-science issues, particularly climate-change, through the medium of photography.
- As artificial-intelligence becomes integrated into various sectors, it can potentially be leveraged to analyze and predict the environmental impacts of climate-change, furthering our understanding of this critical global issue.
