The ocean is the birthplace of life on Earth, covering over 70% of our planet and sustaining an extraordinary range of biodiversity—from microscopic plankton to the largest whales. Yet its influence extends far beyond the water’s edge, shaping the health of ecosystems as distant as the Amazon rainforest and the African savannah.
In this conversation, John Steele, Editor-in-Chief of Nautilus, will explore how photography serves as a powerful tool for documenting and preserving the intricate web of life that connects land and sea. Drawing from Biodiversity: Through the Lens, a collaborative exhibition by UNESCO, Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy, Discover Earth, and Nautilus, Steele will discuss how nature photographers capture the breathtaking beauty and fragile complexity of our planet’s ecosystems, offering rare glimpses into the vibrant worlds beneath the ocean’s surface and beyond.
More than just a visual record, these images serve as urgent calls to action, reminding us that the health of biodiversity is inseparable from the health of our oceans and, ultimately, the survival of life on Earth. This discussion will illuminate how photography can reconnect us with the natural world, inspire empathy, and drive tangible efforts to protect our planet’s delicate balance.