Farming, development, and pollution are having a devastating impact on plants and animals around the world. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be. World leaders are attempting to stem the losses, and the United Nations has designated 2011 to 2020 the “Decade on Biodiversity” to bring attention to the fight.
Into this mix steps M. Sanjayan, The Nature Conservancy’s conservation biologist and a champion for saving habitats. Sanjayan will visit the University of Minnesota on Thursday, May 10 as part of the 2012 Momentum event series, where he will talk about what it means to “create a truly sustainable relationship with our environment,” and the roles that business leaders, youth and people in poverty play in the effort. The evening will also include a performance by Zorongo Flamenco Dance Company.
Read an interview with Sanjayan here.
National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen grew up in the Arctic, and has spent his career documenting life in the world’s most extreme environments. His work has led him to spend a decade trying to capture narwhals underwater, to the Great Bear Rainforest and both ends of the earth.
He’ll bring stories from his travels to the University of Minnesota on Thursday when he opens the Institute on the Environment’s Momentum 2012 event series with his talk, “From Pole to Pole: Diary of a National Geographic Photojournalist.” The event begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 South 4th St., and will also include a performance by Mu Daiko Drumming.
Before taking to the lectern, Nicklen spoke with METRO about what it means to be a photographer in an ever-changing landscape, what it takes to get the perfect shot, and why he fears driving on the 401 into Toronto more than swimming with an 8,000 pound elephant seal. Read the interview here.
