National Geographic Society

The world’s historic natural and cultural heritage sites are facing climate change impacts. The 2,000-year-old desert city of Petra is leading climate mitigation efforts through collaboration with Preserving Legacies: A Future for Our Past, a National Geographic Society project led by #NatGeoExplorer Victoria Herrmann focused on empowering local communities to safeguard their heritage for future generations. Last month, a groundbreaking risk assessment for the ancient Nabatean city of Petra was published. It is the first to address Petra’s climate impacts and risks to the local community’s social and economic values. Key findings from the report developed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the Petra National Trust and Preserving Legacies include climate impacts such as flash floods and droughts as a new risk to the site. Explore the findings: https://lnkd.in/eHPpjhZ3 Photo by Michael O. Snyder

🎉 Join us in welcoming the National Geographic Society’s 2024 Young Explorers — 15 emerging leaders ranging from 18-25 years old who are using their voices and talents to implement innovative solutions in their communities! These Young Explorers are pursuing a range of efforts, including protecting threatened ecosystems through photographic storytelling, fostering a culture of tolerance and acceptance towards the LGBTQIA+ community, advocating for sustainable energy solutions, amplifying the voices and stories of local communities experiencing the worst impacts of climate change and empowering fishing communities to implement multi-faceted sustainability solutions for marine life and people. Learn more about the new award recipients who are taking action and inspiring transformative change: https://lnkd.in/eKE5SeDM Pictured: Dahlia Jamous courtesy of Jamous; Luis Paladines by Nikki Riddy; Flori Lopez by Heidy Collanqui; Rohit Giri courtesy of Giri

With the Arctic warming at more than twice the rate as the rest of the globe, Sámi reindeer herders are running out of options for adapting to climate change and land development. “As a result, many of the Sámi — Europe’s only recognized Indigenous population living in a region known as Sápmi, covering the Arctic area of Sweden, Norway, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia — have become activists, using art, politics and science to implore their land be protected for their culture, livelihoods and future generations,” shares #NatGeoExplorer Elisa Ferrari. The summer calf marking period is a family and community activity for Sámi reindeer herders where everyone participates. Calf marking continues throughout the night and children and babies are looked after by extended family and sleep as best they can (photo 1). Geographers Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist and Pia Eriksson walk to their cottage at the Tarfala Research Station located in the Tarfala valley surrounded by the Kebnekaise mountains and Sweden's largest glaciers. Their collaborative research with the local Sámi reindeer herding community on climate change, reindeer migration patterns and vegetation will be helpful in trying to protect the land from development and resource extraction (photo 2). Climate change and land use pressures from forestry, energy, and mining, is leading more reindeer to cross busy roads, increasing road deaths in the Swedish arctic (3). These images by Elisa Ferrari are part of a larger body of work supported by a grant from the National Geographic Society that explores the stories of Sámi reindeer herding activists.

“As the Amazonia experiences some of the most extreme climate phenomena in decades, it is critical to shine a spotlight on this issue, conduct deeper research and generate solutions to protect this magnificent region.” —Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Fernando Trujillo Trujillo is being recognized as the 2024 recipient of the Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Award for his tireless efforts to build a deeper understanding and appreciation for river dolphins and for his dedication to working with local communities in South America to co-create conservation approaches that protect endangered aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. Through this award, our long-standing partnership with Rolex, and the power of philanthropy, Trujillo can scale his work and develop even bolder solutions. He is currently a lead Explorer on the National Geographic and ROLEX #PerpetualPlanet Amazon Expedition, a comprehensive, multi-year, scientific and storytelling exploration of the Amazon River basin from the Andes to the Atlantic. https://lnkd.in/eZds-fHX

Working in partnership with Indigenous communities, #NatGeoExplorer Vivian Giang explores the political, socio-cultural, environmental, economic and spiritual impacts of geothermal energy development to inform geothermal energy policy, around the planet. “When the High Priest Ngātoro-i-rangi climbed the summit of Tongariro, it was cold and snowy,” tells Giang of the alpine crossing in Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand. “He called out to his sisters to send sacred fire they had brought to Aotearoa from Hawaiki. His sisters sent the fire in the form of two taniwha (powerful spirits) to the top of Tongariro, saving Ngātoro-i-rangi. The spots where the two taniwha touched are the places where geothermal were established.” Thousands of miles across the Pacific, Kīlauea Volcano in Hawai’i is home to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire. “The development of geothermal energy in this region has been a point of contention for Pele practitioners and supporters who do not want her home and body to be disturbed by industrial activities, such as drilling into the land,” Giang says. On the other side of the world, Iceland is world-renowned for its geothermal activity. Natural geothermal pools are nestled in the rhyolite mountains of Landmannalaugar, where travelers have enjoyed the soothing waters for centuries. Giang had the unique opportunity to gain insights on sustainable geothermal energy development and spin-off applications from Albert Albertsson, a visionary who worked for 47 years at HS Orka Svartsengi Geothermal Power Station and Resource Park, home of the world-famous Blue Lagoon. Pictured: Vivian Giang at Tongariro Alpine Crossing, New Zealand (1); Giang at Kīlauea Iki Crater, next to Kīlauea Volcano, Hawai’i (2); Giang at Landmannalaugar, Iceland (3); Photos by Jarrett Brown #AANHPIHeritageMonth

The results are in! Congratulations to the Top Honors Award Recipients of the 2024 Slingshot Challenge: • Urban Pollinators (Evelyn P.) • TerraBox (Chidiebere A.) • Semilla de Esperanza, "Seed of Hope" (Ulises Yael T. P., Wiliam Artemio T. P., Diana Paola P. N., Perla Karina P. G., Sasha E.) • Trovador: Tree Planting Robot (Marta B.) • Mazah: Food Waste Fighting App (Noga G., Gabrielle G., Shradha B., Riya Z., Ishika M., Prithika V.) These young changemakers ages 13-18 years old rose to the challenge and created 1-minute videos describing their ideas for solving environmental issues. By using their voices and ingenuity, their ideas can lead to taking action to protect our planet and improve our future. Learn more about the 2024 award recipients, watch the celebration video and cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award (May 8-31) at slingshotchallenge.org. Slingshot Challenge is supported by the National Geographic Society and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Inspired by photographers who use their images to advocate for protection, #NatGeoExplorer Cristina "Mitty" Mittermeier created the organization the International League of Conservation Photographers to recognize and support that important work. “Conservation is something that takes many pieces like a big puzzle: you need the policy, you need the politicians, you need money, you need media, but you need communications – and, photography is a great tool to invite people to participate,” says Mittermeier, a photographer and marine biologist. Her prolific work is currently on display now through Sept. 1 at Gallerie d'Italia in Turin, Italy. She also has an ambitious book forthcoming, documenting a story of HOPE. An “artistic manifesto” in an innovative narrative form, join Mittermeier’s personal journey spanning over 120 countries and every continent, and explore the beauty of our interconnected world as seen through her camera lens. Learn more about the project: https://lnkd.in/eA9auwrV Photo by Cristina Mittermeier

Water scarcity doesn’t always take the form of a lake drying up in an arid climate. In some geographies, water scarcity is driven by other factors, such as rapid population growth, lack of water quality or producing water-intensive crops. New research from Universiteit Utrecht supported by the National Geographic Society’s World Freshwater Initiative, identifies 21 global water scarcity “hotspots,” where there is a significant water gap between human demand for water and renewable available supply. 💧Explore the findings: https://lnkd.in/eRNapU5X Photo by Musuk Nolte, a National Geographic Explorer World Freshwater Initiative grantee working in Peru

Introducing the newest cohort of #NatGeoExplorers supported by the National Geographic Society and The Climate Pledge! The collaboration supports five Explorers who are inspiring audiences worldwide to learn and take action for climate issues through the Society’s Global Storytellers Fund. Meet the impressive cohort: ✦ Brent Stirton, photographer ✦ Doel Trivedy, director and producer ✦ M’hammed Kilito, photographer ✦ Nichole Sobecki, photographer and filmmaker ✦ Paolo Verzone, photographer and filmmaker Learn more about the collaboration with The Climate Pledge that advances early-career and established storytellers with the funding, training and exposure necessary to bring their stories about the global climate crisis to the forefront: https://lnkd.in/eEh_J7En Photo: Doel Trivedy/Riverbank Studios created this composite image of 11 different demoiselle cranes that each visited the same hidden camera through the species’ migration season in Keechan, Rajasthan. Keechan village is a safe stop for breeding for thousands of demoiselle cranes on their annual winter migration. The people of Keechan have become guardians for the cranes — protecting and feeding them during these crucial months, before they leave with their newborns back to their high Himalayan home.

Africa Refocused, a collaboration between Nature, Environment & Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) and the National Geographic Society, is supporting 10 mid-career filmmakers who will develop conservation films from an authentic African perspective. This cohort of African Conservation Voices Producers Lab fellows will receive support in developing, shooting and distributing short conservation films and is a partnership between the African Wildlife Foundation and NEWF. Meet the new fellows: https://lnkd.in/duCEd3cv. Photo courtesy of NEWF