The world's wild spaces may soon be eerily silent, devoid of the majestic creatures we've come to admire. This stark reality is the fear of nature photographer Margot Raggett, who has dedicated a decade to wildlife conservation. She's currently feeling apprehensive about the future. "It does feel like we’ve taken a backward step," she admits.
Raggett, through her 'Remembering Wildlife' series, has raised an impressive £1.2 million over the past 10 years. These annual, not-for-profit picture books showcase stunning images from the world's top nature photographers. The first edition emerged in 2015, coinciding with the drafting of the Paris climate agreement. However, the path to tackling the climate crisis has seen some significant setbacks since then.
Under Donald Trump's administration, the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2020. While Joe Biden reversed this decision the following year, Trump announced the US would withdraw again during his second presidential term. In the UK, both the Conservatives and Reform UK have proposed scrapping the 2050 net-zero target if they gain power.
"Compared to a few years ago, there was a desire for renewables instead of drilling for oil across the world. I think the importance of nature is something for us all to cling on to," Raggett observes.
Despite the challenges, Raggett finds some encouragement. "I’m nervous but equally I’m encouraged by the fact that there are so many people that do seem to still care. I’ll do everything I can to keep my end of the bargain and keep fighting. And I know there’s lots of other people who feel the same, so time will tell, but we certainly can’t be complacent."
To highlight the precarious state of wildlife, this year's release, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, features both original and altered images. These altered images show animals like polar bears, cheetahs, and pangolins removed from their natural habitats.
Raggett explains that these images are intended to be "provocative," offering a glimpse of what could happen if current trends continue. "The rate of wildlife decline is so rapid across the world and there’s a lot of work to be done to reverse it. We really could be looking at a future where these landscapes would be without these wild animals,” she warns. “That’s why we created it, to make people pause and realise what could happen if we don’t take action.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Raggett also voices her concerns about developments closer to home. The government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes during its first term. As part of this, the Environment Agency has been instructed to expedite planning applications in England, a move that has drawn criticism from environmental campaigners.
Ragett calls for a "massive pause" on the government’s “short-sighted” plans for accelerated housebuilding, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humans and nature. "It’s very easy in a built-up country like ours to not understand the part every species plays in our ecosystem, how they keep our trees growing and the impact that has on clearing carbon from the atmosphere." She suggests prioritizing the redevelopment of brownfield sites. "We’ve lost so much already. I think there should be a massive pause.”
Ragett's passion for conservation was ignited by a heartbreaking encounter with an elephant, a victim of poaching, in Kenya. “He had a poisoned arrow in him and then he started to be eaten by hyenas. I was so horrified and I felt so impotent… so I was determined to try and do something about it,” she recalls.
She notes that efforts to combat poaching have yielded mixed results. “The impact of poaching rhinos for their horns in South Africa remains horrific... but there have been some wins too. China banning ivory a few years ago definitely has had an impact but then it pops up in the illegal trade elsewhere in Asia,” she says.
Raggett highlights that tackling demand, particularly in Asia where poaching products are used in traditional medicines, is crucial. “Poaching is still a huge criminal industry and and it’s not going anywhere. It’s still very much rampant.”
Earlier in October, the world lost renowned primatologist Jane Goodall at the age of 91. Raggett, who met her in 2018, was deeply inspired by Goodall's dedication. “I was blown away by her work ethic and determination... She was totally inspirational and encouraging and had real humility in how she spoke,” she says. “She has a remarkable legacy full of wisdom, and humour as well.”
What do you think? Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future of wildlife? Do you agree with Raggett's concerns about development? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
