‘The New Big 5’: Wildlife photography book turns the lens on animals at risk | CNN

Graeme Green's ambitious project, "The New Big 5," is turning the spotlight on animals at risk as the world grapples with unprecedented wildlife loss. Originally a term used by trophy hunters in Africa to describe the most challenging animals to hunt, the concept has been flipped on its head by Green, who seeks to inspire a new generation of photographers and conservationists.

The brainchild of renowned British photographer Graeme Green, this global project aims to document species that are at risk due to human activities like habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, and climate change. In 2021, 50,000 people worldwide voted for their favorite animals to photograph in the wild, resulting in a diverse roster of five finalists: elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger.

The book, featuring stunning images by over 144 globally recognized wildlife photographers, serves as a powerful reminder of the alarming rate at which nature is declining. The "New Big 5" not only highlights these iconic species but also provides a platform for showcasing other endangered creatures that are often overlooked.

Green hopes that his project will lead people to discover the beauty and fragility of our planet's ecosystems, encouraging them to take action in conservation efforts. He notes that while the images presented in the book may seem serene on the surface, they serve as a call to address pressing environmental issues such as rewilding and indigenous community involvement.

Notable voices like Jane Goodall, who wrote the afterword for the book, emphasize the urgent need for collective action to heal the damage inflicted upon the natural world. With "The New Big 5," Green is not only raising awareness about species at risk but also nudging people toward potential solutions, such as protecting wildlife habitats and promoting eco-friendly practices.

As the project's founder remarks, this book is a testament to the power of photography in inspiring change and serving as a beacon for hope.
 
I'm just worried that we're gonna keep losing these incredible creatures before we even get a chance to learn more about them 🐰💔 The conservation efforts are necessary, but it's also super important to acknowledge that our daily choices can contribute to the problem in tiny ways. Like, have you ever thought about the impact of your favorite brand on the environment? 🤔 Every little bit counts, right?
 
🌿💡 I think it's fascinating how Graeme Green has reimagined the concept of "The New Big 5" from its trophy hunting origins to become a powerful tool for conservation 🐠. By showcasing these iconic species alongside lesser-known endangered creatures, he's highlighting the interconnectedness of our ecosystems and the need for collective action 💖. The book is more than just stunning visuals – it's a call to address pressing environmental issues like rewilding and indigenous community involvement 🌳. With notable voices like Jane Goodall lending their support, I'm optimistic that this project will inspire a new wave of conservationists and eco-warriors 👥💪
 
🤔 I mean, who wouldn't want to save a bunch of animals that are slowly getting wiped out by humans? It's not like we've had 50 years of warnings about climate change and conservation, and yet here we are... 🌎💦 Still, I guess it's better late than never, right? And hey, at least Graeme Green is trying to make a difference with his "New Big 5" project. Maybe his book will inspire some people to care (just a little bit) about the planet and its inhabitants. But let's be real, if we're gonna save the world, it's gonna take more than just a pretty picture and a few words from Jane Goodall 📸💕
 
🌿💚 I think its amazing how Graeme Green turned "The New Big 5" into something positive instead of just another trophy hunt thing. The pictures are stunning, but what I love most is that they're showing all the animals in danger and making people care about saving them 🐠💕. We really need more people like Jane Goodall who's passionate about helping the planet 🌟. If we can make a difference with our cameras, then maybe we can actually change things for the better 📸💪.
 
omg u guys i'm literally so moved by graeme green's new project "the new big 5" 🐯📸 i mean what's even crazier is that it started with 50k people voting for their fave animals to photograph and now we have this stunning book featuring 144 photographers from all over the world 🌎💥 i feel like this is exactly what we need right now, a reminder of how quickly nature can disappear if we don't take action climate change, habitat destruction, pollution... it's all so devastating 🤕 but at the same time, it's beautiful to see these incredible animals being showcased in such a powerful way 👀 and i love that jane goodall wrote the afterword for this book she's literally the ultimate conservationist 🌟 i feel like "the new big 5" is more than just a book, it's a call to action, a reminder that we can all make a difference if we work together 🤝
 
just read about graeme green's new big 5 project and i gotta say its super inspiring 🌟. like, i know we're always hearing about how bad things are with climate change and pollution etc but this guy is showing us the beauty of nature too 💚. i love that he flipped the concept of trophy hunting on its head and now its all about conservation 📸. the photos in the book are insane btw, i wanna see some more 🤩. hopefully it inspires people to make a change like jane goodall said, we need to take action to protect our planet's ecosystems 🌿💪.
 
🌳 "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." ~ Martin Luther King Jr. 🤝
 
idk why we need another big 5 🤔 but at least graeme green is tryna make people care about animals getting extinct 🐒 it's crazy how many species are losing their homes due to human stuff like pollution & deforestation 🌎 the book looks sick tho, love the pics of elephants & polar bears 💚 i just hope more ppl take action after reading this instead of just looking at pretty pictures 👀
 
I'm so over how every big environmental project has to have a fancy cover and a bunch of famous people attached to it 🙄. I mean, don't get me wrong, Jane Goodall's endorsement is cool and all, but can we please just talk about the content here? Like, what's the actual strategy behind this "New Big 5" thing? Is it just going to sit on some coffee table and collect dust? It feels like a marketing gimmick to me 📚💸

And have you seen the book? 144 photographers? That's a lot of people trying to make a point. I'm all for diverse perspectives, but can't we just focus on one person's story or something instead of spreading it thin? And what's up with the "serene" vibe? Just because there are some beautiful images doesn't mean the problems they're highlighting aren't super pressing 🌪️💔
 
🌟 I'm totally stoked about Graeme Green's "The New Big 5"! It's such an awesome idea to flip the script on trophy hunting and use it to raise awareness about animal conservation 🦁🐯. The final five animals - elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger - are all so iconic and heartbreaking at the same time 💔. And can we talk about the book? Those photos by 144 amazing photographers? Mind. Blown. 📚💥 It's not just a pretty face, though - Green is pushing for real change, like rewilding and indigenous community involvement 🌳👥. We need more people like Jane Goodall speaking out and urging us to take action 🙏. Let's hope this project inspires a whole new generation of conservationists and environmentalists! 🌟💚
 
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