The Heirs to the Earth

In the intricate fabric of life, the threads of one generation weave the stories of the next. As parents, guardians and caretakers, it is my generation's duty to ensure that our children will inherit a healthy and beautiful planet. But it is more than that; we must set them up for success so that they, too, can become responsible stewards of the Earth. As the current custodians of this world, we are entrusted with making decisions that will shape the environment, society, and economy they will lead in the no-so-distant future.

Sky Walkers | Teetering on stick stilts against a cloudy sky, a group of boys from the Banna tribe balance high above their home in the heart of the Omo Valley. I am not ready to admit how much sand I ate trying to take this photograph. But it was worth gaining a lower vantage point to show the boys walking high among the clouds, like walking trees that came untethered from their roots.

One thing I have learned from spending time with Indigenous people is the incredible value of becoming an elder.  The wisdom, experience and judgment of the older generation is an invaluable gift to those who come next.  Rather than getting distracted by the promise of longevity, I want to strive to be a good and wise elder and serve as a role model and beacon of Hope for those coming after me.

The heirs to the Earth are poised to inherit a world brimming with unprecedented challenges and opportunities. The world I grew up in looks very different from the world my children were raised in. The endless beaches I used to walk along when I studied the return of sea turtles to the coast of Mexico have now become all-inclusive resorts. So many species I used to see in the wild can now only be seen in textbooks. My kids will never get to see them as they once were, and to me, that is a tragedy.

Lillies | Driving through the Alley of the Baobabs in Western Madagascar, I spotted this flooded field overflowing with the blossoms of water lilies. We stopped the car to photograph the trees towering in the distance, when a splash caught my eye. A young woman was diving in the shallow water and gathering armfuls of the delicate flowers. She stood elegant and proud, presenting her small harvest to me like a bouquet.

Climate change poses one of the most significant threats to the planet, impacting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss are already taking a toll. The urgency to address these challenges is undeniable. The urgency to equip our children with the resources to tackle them is palpable.

Ta’kaiya | The sound of Ta’kaiya’s drum is as clear and unwavering as her voice for the future of the Tla’amin First Nation.

My goal has always been to spread information and educate people on the issues our world is facing through my photography. Equipping children with the knowledge and skills to think critically, innovate, and collaborate is essential in navigating a complex world and will empower them to tackle the challenges ahead with confidence and creativity.

More importantly than any degree, I have found that fostering empathy and compassion in young people is vital. In a world often divided by cultural, political, and social differences, teaching the value of understanding and respect can bridge gaps worldwide and next door.

Alone Together | As he stepped carefully along the seafloor in the warm shallows of French Polynesia, I could hardly tell where Titouan ended and the sea began. The pink whiptail ray swooped playfully around him and for a moment I could see clearly the path to coexistence between humanity and all the denizens of the sea.

I am constantly inspired by young people who are working all around the world to create change. Titouan Bernicot, the founder of Coral Gardeners, who affectionately calls me his “ocean mom,” is the perfect example.  He and his team are all young adults who have seen the effects of climate change firsthand and have taken action to correct the course. Or the Young Oceans Initiative-  an inspiring father-daughter team challenging the status quo by taking a whole new generation of New Zealand children into the ocean, teaching the value of protecting the resources that keep their communities thriving.

Their courage and determination remind us that the future is already in capable hands.