Beyond words: Our planet’s problems, caught on camera

FotoWare's collection of images aim to reveal the impact these struggles are having on our world and it's inhabitants

Charlotte Hodges

Tuesday 17 September 2019 09:46 BST

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Show all 14

1/14Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Jellyfish (Pelagia noctiluca) and plastic, Sicily, Italy, 2018

Oceana: the largest international advocacy organisation dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-third of the world’s wild fish catch. With over 200 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution and killing of threatened species like turtles and sharks, Oceana’s campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that one billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit www.eu.oceana.org

Oceana/Enrique Talledo

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Panda keeper gives a cub a health check at the Wolong Nature Reserve in China, 2015

Ami Vitale: a photojournalist who has been to more than 100 countries, witnessing not only violence and conflict, but also surreal beauty and the enduring power of the human spirit. She is a five-time recipient of World Press Photo awards, including 1st Prize for her 2018 National Geographic magazine story about a community in Kenya protecting elephants. www.amivitale.com/

Ami Vitale

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

PhotoVoice

Just because I am a transgender women I am not invisible I am not a threat to others and I am not here to 'make' people homosexual I am not illegal - I have rights I am not judgemental and I don't want to be judged I want to be accepted and find peace with everybody. PhotoVoice: designs and delivers tailor-made participatory photography, digital storytelling, and self-advocacy projects for socially excluded groups. Photography crosses cultural and linguistic barriers and is suitable for all abilities. It's both art form and way to record facts. It can describe realities, communicate perspectives, and raise awareness of social and global issues. photovoice.org/

Ariana/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Wings of Support

Wings of Support is an initiative that aims to achieve a sustainable improvement in the quality of children's lives. Like in this image sports training for children at primary schools around Cape Town in South Africa. The training increases self-awareness and motivation.

Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Oceana

Fishing nets entangled in a shipwreck with an edible crab (Cancer pagurus) trapped at Borkum Stones, The Netherlands. North Sea Expedition, August 2017

Oceana/Carlos Minguell

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Amy Vitale

Suyian was the first elephant rescued by the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya. Reteti is part of the Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy and is the first community-owned and run elephant sanctuary in Africa. The Matthews Range where Namunyak is situated is home to Africa's second-largest elephant population. Community-based wildlife keepers there are working to rehabilitate abandoned and orphaned elephants in order to eventually return them to the nearby wild herds.

Amy Vitale

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

PhotoVoice

It is hard enough to be a Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer (LBQ) woman in Uganda, but to be HIV+ too, we face double discrimination. Many hide their pain in alcohol and drug abuse. Discrimination from the community leads to self-stigmatisation and we struggle to access the services and support we need. Even the LGBTI community see us as a problem, and turn us away so that we become someone else's problem. By understanding our mental health needs and providing effective support, HIV+ LBQ women can lead healthy lives. STOP THE STIGMA

Phyl/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Wings of Support

Training for children at primary schools around Cape Town

Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Oceana

Deckhand Adolfo de los Ríos collecting a big piece of plastic from the seabed during his free time. Santa Maria Salina, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy, 2018

Oceana/Enrique Talledo

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Amy Vitale

Here, an orphaned baby reticulated giraffe embraces wildlife keeper Lekupania. This giraffe will be rehabilitated and return to the wild, as a number of others have done before him. Right now, giraffes are undergoing what has been referred to as a silent extinction. Current estimates are that giraffe populations across Africa have dropped 40 percent in three decades, plummeting from approximately 155,000 in the late 1980s to under 100,000 today. The decline is thought to be caused by to habitat loss and fragmentation and poaching, but because there haven't been long term conservation efforts in the past, it's hard to know exactly what is happening. Reticulated giraffes themselves number fewer than 16,000 individuals. Scientists are now undertaking major studies to better understand why giraffes are disappearing and what can be done to stop it.

Ami Vitale

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

PhotoVoice

The HIV prevalence in people who inject drugs is almost 3 times higher than the general population, but most people who use drugs (PUDs) boycott public HIV and health facilities through fear of arrest, stigma and discrimination. The extension of HIV services to drug hotspots and dens has the power to increase uptake of HIV services across PUD communities in Uganda. Make HIV services affordable and accessible to all - Support don't Punish

Malcolm/PhotoVoice/International HIV/AIDS Alliance

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Wings of Support

Training for children at primary schools around Cape Town

Jouke van der Meer/Wings of Support

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

Amy Vitale

In 2014, I witnessed a group of Samburu warriors encounters a rhino for the first time in their lives at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. None of the warriors had ever seen a rhino in their life and some had never even seen a photo of a rhino. Their eyes got wide and they became very protective of them. The young warriors from Northern Rangelands Trust community conservancies had been visiting to learn about conservation practices such as sustainable land use, grazing programs, and endangered species conservation. Indigenous communities are the frontlines of the poaching wars.

Ami Vitale

Photos exposing our planet's problems – from climate change to poverty

PhotoVoice

At the age of 15, Carol got pregnant and contracted HIV after being convinced by her teacher that sex relieves menstrual cramps. Misinformation is harmful. Comprehensive Sexuality Education must be legalized in schools.

Naskmariz/PhotoVoice/Frontline AIDS/PITCH

Your support helps us to tell the story

In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.

Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.

Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives

Head shot of Kelly Rissman

Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

A new exhibition is showcasing photos from across the world taken by people trying to make a difference on issues from fighting climate change, poverty and hunger to promoting human rights.

Making a Difference through Photography is an exhibition by FotoWare, whose spokesperson Radmila Milenkovich said "A photo can say more than a thousand words!

"In day-to-day life, it’s sometimes easy to forget about things we do not see; media write about world issues that are just so hard to take in, and sometimes hard to imagine."

The exhibition features work from organisations including Oceana, PhotoVoice, Wings of Support, Greenpeace, Ami Vitale and Melanie-Jane Frey.

It will run in the former shipyard of Aker Brygge, Oslo, for three weeks from 18 September.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies