Artist Statement 

Climate Elders is a portrait series featuring elders from communities around the world impacted by climate change. With older people disproportionately affected, it’s time their needs are prioritized in climate action. Each Climate Elder shares their thoughts on what world leaders can do to stop things from getting worse. 

Artist Bios 

Matias Bercovich is a documentary photographer and National Geographic Explorer dedicated to investigating the intersection between issues of cultural survival, conflict, and environmental conservation. His work has been featured in globally renowned media outlets such as National Geographic, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Clarín, PDN, and Frontier Myanmar. In 2020, he was nominated by the World Press Photo Foundation for the Joop Swart Masterclass and awarded by the National Geographic Society with a Storytelling Grant.

Debsuddha is an independent photographer from India, whose work revolves around social issues and human relationships. ‘Belonging’, his project about his aunts, won the Images Vevey Book Award 2023/2024.

Light Oriye is a photographer and filmmaker from Nigeria. His work focuses on environmental advocacy and socioeconomic challenges faced by people in rural communities. He has a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Cynthia Matonhodze is an independent documentary photographer, currently based in Harare, Zimbabwe. Her work focuses on social issues, mostly in her native country, Zimbabwe. Her work has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bloomberg, The Guardian UK and commissioned by various international NGOs.

Jannatul Mawa turned to professional photography after years of working as social and gender activist. She believes in the medium’s potential to combat discrimination.