Project Survival Mediarobertvanwaarden

On Assignment in Arizona

robertvanwaarden — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:17:22 +0000

“Just seeing the future for us and knowing that they [our parents] wanted a better future for us, I have the same feeling for, not myself, but the kids and for my relatives and that something better will be in the future for them, that keeps me going. Knowing that we have succeeded in one step and maybe we can continue on and see a better future for all of us.

[One of] the other things that keeps me going is knowing that one of my great aunts and my great uncles [had] respiratory problems. Their breath was taken away slowly inch by inch, feeling like they were being suffocated. When they died, thinking about them and thinking that how much better it would be for the rest of the people here. I don’t want them to die that way anymore, I want them to be able to breathe.” Fern Benally, Navajo Activist.

Shadia and I just finished an assignment in Arizona, covering an incredible group of activists that are working hard to stop dirty energy on the Navajo Reservation and pushing the envelope on clean energy development. We are focusing on the closing of one of the coal mines in the area, the tactics that were used and what this means to the people affected by the closure.

The former coalmine is in the Benally’s backyard, land that has been the families for thousands of years. For the last 30 years, 24 hours a day, the large coal trucks would rumble by the house and the coal crusher would drown out nature. Now, thanks to incredible co-operation and dedication amongst groups like the Black Mesa Water Coalition, Grand Canyon Trust and the Sierra Club, the life of mine permit was revoked in January. Now, the Benally’s can hear the birds sing and watch the stars like their ancestors did long before Europeans came here.

There are still many examples of environmental racism here in Arizona and across our planet. But, it is important to celebrate victories and share the knowledge so that we can all move towards a sustainable future. More to come on this project in the future.

Climate Change affecting Agriculture and Farming in Europe

robertvanwaarden — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:30:48 +0000

Climate change is drastically altering the landscapes and farming culture of the European Continent. From the mountains of Norway to the low lying lands of Italy, from the innovations in the Netherlands to the suffering crops of Romanian farmers, the Project Survival Media team in Europe has explored this issue and produced a multimedia piece. A brief look at the situation, the piece touches on several issues affecting European farmers and shows that climate change is an issue that affects us all. Farmers are on the front line of the climate crisis, and we need strong, coordinated global action on climate change to ensure survival of this industry and our food supplies.

The Rise of a Climate Movement – 20 Images from 2009

robertvanwaarden — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:16:09 +0000

2009 will be defined as the year that the climate movement exploded. Millions of people around the world got behind the call for a strong deal in Copenhagen. Although the final result was a failure, the activists pictured in these images know that they are Not Done Yet! These 20 images are from the year of climate activism and important events around the world.

All Images ©Robert vanWaarden

Images – ‘Best Of’ from the Climate Conference in Copenhagen

robertvanwaarden — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:34:40 +0000

Gallery of the ‘Best of’ images from COP 15 in Copenhagen.

Photography of the Climate March in Copenhagen

robertvanwaarden — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:00:20 +0000

Over 100,000 people converged in Copenhagen on Dec. 12, 2009 to march towards the Bella Center and demand a fair, ambitious, and binding treaty at the end of the Conference of Parties. This gallery is a selection of some of my best photography from the day.