Icy Realms

In the silent expanse of our planet’s polar regions, where towering icebergs mark the boundaries of the Earth, time seems to stretch. On calm days, the stillness is punctuated only by the groaning of shifting ice—a sound so loud it overwhelms the senses. The Arctic and Antarctica, two of the most awe-inspiring places on our planet, are also the most fragile. Though they seem serene, these regions are transforming at a pace unmatched anywhere else on Earth.

Weightless | Suspended in space, I watched this glacial sculpture drift on its quiet voyage to the sea, glowing like a blue flame upon the surface of the ocean. It floated quietly on a steady course and I thought of the wonders it would see along the way

The rapid decline of these ecosystems is a stark reminder of the urgency of climate change. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of this crisis. The ice is melting before our eyes, and the fear of what is being lost weighs heavily on our hearts. As inhabitants of this planet, we are bound by a shared vulnerability, facing an increasingly uncertain future. But even as we grapple with the possibility of disaster, we must hold fast to hope. Without it, we risk surrendering to despair.

King Promenade | A lively procession of king penguins shuffles against a moody backdrop, embodying stubborn optimism in the face of treacherous currents, freezing temperatures, and climate change. Despite these challenges, their joyful racket filled the air as each bird marched proudly with puffed chests and lifted wings.

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Curious Penguin | Adélie penguins embody tenacity and fearlessness, thriving in freezing waters and harsh winters. Their quirky charm, wide-eyed look and proud little wings, stands out against the icy wasteland they call home.

I was first confronted with these changes while on expedition to Antarctica with National Geographic back in 2017. In place of the usual snow flurries, rain soaked through the icy landscape. Rivers of guano-stained muck from the region’s penguin colonies flowed into the ocean. When I visited a colony of Adelies, I noticed several chicks were soaking wet with their baby feathers matted with mud.

While adult penguins' sleek, waterproof plumage can easily be preened and washed as they head out to sea, young chicks struggle to dry themselves. This becomes especially dangerous at night when temperatures plunge, leaving them susceptible to hypothermia. Rain is meant to be a rare event in the polar south, but as the world warms, it becomes a more prevalent problem.

Walk this Way | I photographed this group of Adelie penguins as they raised a cheerful ruckus and waddled over the ice, so full of heart and joy despite the difficult lives they lead on the harshest continent on Earth. I wanted to show the character of these plucky little birds in as they navigate Antarctica’s stark, white landscape in the coldest region on our planet.

Since then, I have travelled many times to each of the poles and have continued to witness firsthand the consequences of humanity’s actions.  But there is hope: we know why the polar regions are melting, and we have solutions. From nature-based conservation efforts to cutting-edge renewable energy technologies, we are already taking steps in the right direction.

Ice Crown | A crown-shaped iceberg drifts under an Antarctic sunset. In winter, the ice continent is dark, forming vast snowy ridges. As summer brings the midnight sun, the ice breaks apart, creating sculptures like this one. Though Antarctica feels distant, its sea ice is vital for ocean currents and stabilizing our global climate.

The fate of our polar regions depends on our collective will. By rejecting cynicism and apathy and instead engaging in meaningful discussions, reducing our consumption, and living with a focus on fostering a sustainable future, we can drive the changes needed. If enough of us care and act, we just might save these icy realms. Standing together, we have the power to make a difference.