U.N. wildlife photo exhibit commemorates World Environment Day

In commemoration of this year’s World Environment Day, photographers Nigel Barker (America’ss Next Top Model) and Luo Hong (Luo Hong Foundation in China), are pairing up for a photographic exhibition at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The exhibit, titled "Shared Destiny: Wildlife from Africa to the Arctic", showcases work by both photographers that celebrates the planet’s wildlife and addresses human practices that affect global biodiversity and environmental sustainability.

In line with the Your Planet Needs You theme, Barker and Luo’s work makes a profound statement about the humbling beauty of life and serves as an inspiring call to action for all global citizens to protect our precious environment. The exhibit aims to promote awareness on human-exploitation of nature, irresponsible dumping, and unsustainable hunting.

The exhibit makes its debut at a ceremony on Thursday, June 4, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Northeast Gallery of the UN’s Visitor’s Lobby, and runs from Friday, June 5th through Sunday, July 12th from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day. Admission is free.

Exploring biodiversity through art

"We live in a beautiful world that is often sadly treated with contempt," says British-born Nigel Barker, who has worked with The Humane Society’s ProtectSeals campaign, capturing the beautiful birth and cruel hunt of baby seals.

"I believe we owe it to ourselves and to the next generation to do all we can to protect, preserve and respect our planet. No one nation, state nor individual should have the right to brutalize the fauna or exploit the flora. Of course, most countries are guilty of such indiscretions but as individuals we have the power to stand up and do the right thing."

Barker is a world-renowned photographer, known best for his work as photographer and judge on the hit television show America’s Next Top Model , currently filming its thirteenth season. He directs and produces films, documentaries and commercials for fashion-entertainment and Hollywood clients as well as international, charitable organizations.

Having spent the past ten years trekking the world in pursuit of natural landscape and wild animal photography, Luo Hong finds himself "constantly in shock, witnessing the human exploitation of her beauty," according to the photographer. "I hope this exhibition can serve as an inspiration and an awakening call for the kindness in our hearts."

Hong has visited Eastern and Southern Africa 21 times in the last 10 years as well as to the Arctic and Antarctica to photograph animals in the wild. His foundation, the Luo Hong Environment Foundation, was established in 2006 to raise environmental awareness and promote action at all levels of society, including contributing to environmental projects for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and sponsoring children’s programs for environmental protection.

Stimulating global awareness

World Environment Day, commemorated each year on June 5th, is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) is the leading authority on the environment within the UN system. It acts as a catalyst, advocate, educator and facilitator to promote the wise use and sustainable development of the global environment, working with a wide range of partners, including national Governments, UN entities, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and civil society.

For more information, visit www.unep.org/wed .