A Global Camera Lens: Wildlife Photographer Graeme Green's New 'Big Five'
The term "Big Five" was once synonymous with hunting in Africa, but British photographer Graeme Green has given it a new meaning. In 2021, 50,000 people worldwide voted for their top five animals to photograph or witness in the wild. The winners were the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger – all of which are threatened by human activities.
Green's project is not just about showcasing stunning images but also serves as a call to action to protect endangered species. His book, "The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project for Endangered Wildlife," features the work of 144 renowned wildlife photographers from around the world. Curated over nearly two years, the publication includes essays and stories from conservationists and activists, including Jane Goodall.
According to the UN, nature is declining at an unprecedented rate, with one million species facing extinction. Green's project highlights the alarming threat climate change poses to animals outside of his "Big Five." The book also explores rewilding and the importance of indigenous communities in conservation.
In a press release, Goodall emphasized that "we have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world, but only if we get together and take action now." Green's photographs aim to inspire people into the wonderful worlds of these iconic species, potentially sparking other involvement in conservation efforts.
"The New Big 5" is not just a book; it's a global initiative. The project has partnered with Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative, aiming to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and inspire positive action.
The term "Big Five" was once synonymous with hunting in Africa, but British photographer Graeme Green has given it a new meaning. In 2021, 50,000 people worldwide voted for their top five animals to photograph or witness in the wild. The winners were the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger – all of which are threatened by human activities.
Green's project is not just about showcasing stunning images but also serves as a call to action to protect endangered species. His book, "The New Big 5: A Global Photography Project for Endangered Wildlife," features the work of 144 renowned wildlife photographers from around the world. Curated over nearly two years, the publication includes essays and stories from conservationists and activists, including Jane Goodall.
According to the UN, nature is declining at an unprecedented rate, with one million species facing extinction. Green's project highlights the alarming threat climate change poses to animals outside of his "Big Five." The book also explores rewilding and the importance of indigenous communities in conservation.
In a press release, Goodall emphasized that "we have a window of time during which we can start to heal some of the harm we have inflicted on the natural world, but only if we get together and take action now." Green's photographs aim to inspire people into the wonderful worlds of these iconic species, potentially sparking other involvement in conservation efforts.
"The New Big 5" is not just a book; it's a global initiative. The project has partnered with Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative, aiming to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and inspire positive action.
I'm so down for this project! It's crazy to think that we're running out of time to save some of the most iconic animals on the planet 
Graeme Green's initiative is more than just a photography project, it's a wake-up call for us all. We need to take action now and support conservation efforts, especially when it comes to rewilding and indigenous communities 
The fact that it's partnered with Rolex's Perpetual Planet initiative is awesome, too - we need more influencers and big brands using their platforms to raise awareness about sustainability issues 
Graeme Green's 'Big Five' project is like, the perfect way to showcase these incredible animals without all the hunting drama 
And I love that it's not just about the photography, but also about raising awareness and taking action to protect endangered species 
The partnership with Rolex is a great move too - let's get more people involved in conservation efforts and make a positive impact on the planet 
Dolly the Sheep was cloned from an endangered species in 1996 - now we gotta save our Big Five 
[GIF of a sad-looking elephant]
I mean, 50,000 people voting for their top five animals to photograph or witness in the wild is a great start, but we need more than just awareness campaigns, you know? We need actual change 
. I'm so tired of seeing these beautiful creatures living in captivity or struggling to survive because of human actions. It's like, come on, people! We have a window of time to make a difference, and it starts now 
. This book and the Perpetual Planet initiative are a good step, but we need more voices, more action, and more resources dedicated to conservation efforts 
. I mean, what's the point of having a "global camera lens" if we're not using it to drive real change? 
. Let's keep using our voices to raise awareness about conservation and protect our planet for future generations 
i completely agree with Graeme Green's project, its so inspiring to see all these amazing photographers coming together to raise awareness about endangered species! 
i love that it's not just about taking pictures, but also about educating people and inspiring them to take action. 
jane goodall's quote gives me chills too, we really do have a window of time to fix this before its too late! 
let's get behind this initiative and make some noise for wildlife conservation! 
And I agree with her, we do have a chance to fix some of the harm we've done if we all work together... it's like, we're not too late yet! 
It's like, we need more people passionate about conservation, you know? #SaveThePlanet #WildlifePhotography
#ExtinctionReversal