Twenty-five years after his landmark book The Earth From Above captivated global audiences, French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand has returned with a new collection of aerial images focusing on the world's freshwater sources. The photographs, taken from a helicopter and drone, capture rivers, lakes, glaciers and wetlands across more than 30 countries, including Kenya's iconic 'Tree of Life' and a retreating glacier in Svalbard, Norway.
The project aims to document the beauty and fragility of freshwater ecosystems at a time when climate change and human activity are putting increasing pressure on water supplies. Arthus-Bertrand, now 78, told the publisher that the images are intended to 'remind us that water is our most precious resource and that we must protect it'. The book includes captions explaining the environmental context of each location.
The original The Earth From Above, published in 1999, sold more than 3 million copies worldwide and was translated into 24 languages. It featured aerial views of landscapes from deserts to cities, and helped raise awareness about environmental issues. The new volume, titled Freshwater, is published by Thames & Hudson and is available in hardback for £45.00.
Environmental experts have welcomed the publication, noting that freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened on the planet. According to the WWF, global freshwater species populations have declined by an average of 83% since 1970. The book's release coincides with growing concern in the UK about water scarcity, pollution and the health of rivers such as the Wye and the Thames.
Arthus-Bertrand's work has been praised for making complex environmental issues accessible to a general audience. The new book is not peer-reviewed scientific research, but it draws on data from organisations including UNESCO and the United Nations Environment Programme. The photographer continues to advocate for sustainable development through his foundation, GoodPlanet.
Source: Thames & Hudson, WWF