Changing the world
The emotion one has on leaving an 'Earth from Above' exhibition is complex and difficult to pin down. There is a sense of elation; of having witnessed something remarkable and transforming - but it is tinged with a sense of urgency that something must be done right now to protect the planet's remaining beauty.
"Usually when people are 20 years old, they are optimistic. They think they can change the world. Then afterwards, when they become 40, 50, they say it is impossible to change anything. But for me it was the contrary. When I was 20 I did not feel like it was possible to make a difference; I was not interested in making sense of my life. But now I really feel as if this is the right time to make a change. I am becoming more and more optimistic.
"I was recently doing a big story about Europe which involved flying over the vast war cemeteries in the north of France. All these young men died - and for what? For borders. Now Europe is a working association; a fellowship. We have compassion. Compassion for each other and compassion for others. People are starting to care.
"You cannot do this sort of work if you are pessimistic. Of course the world still faces many problems. But perhaps this is part of the success of this project: It is an optimistic way to think about pessimistic things".
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