Toby Smith | Nature Visuals | Watershed
Channel: Watershed
Date: 2022-06-10

Photos of the natural environment do not reflect the social, ethnic or geographic diversity of the country, which may create barriers to some people enjoying and feeling a sense of belonging in  nature. How can we build a better, more inclusive visual language? 

Images matter. As people, we need to see ourselves in images relating to the natural environment so we connect with them and see the relevance of them to our lives. The photos we see of natural spaces need to be inclusive, authentic and show people from diverse backgrounds in diverse outdoor spaces. This is also important for connecting people with messages around our big challenges including climate change and biodiversity loss. Experiencing natural spaces in all kinds of ways helps to provide that connection and we know that for some, this is not currently part of their lives. 

This matters for climate change too. Spending time in nature is a proven way to engage people with the climate crisis and a lack of inclusive imagery makes it harder to build a diverse climate movement.

Climate Visuals, a programme of Climate Outreach, use an evidence-based approach to design and catalyse a more compelling and diverse visual language for climate change, you can find out more about the project here. https://climateoutreach.org/media/nature-visuals-webinar/

This talk is part of the Festival of Nature. https://www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/events/

Toby Smith is the Climate Visuals Programme Lead and Media Liaison with a strategic goal of expanding their presence, influence and impact in the media and photographic sectors. Based in the South-West of England, Toby has over 12 years of experience as an environmental and editorial photography. Climate Visuals, a programme of Climate Outreach, use an evidence-based approach to design and catalyse a more compelling and diverse visual language for climate change.

Join us online on YouTube Live, or in the building on Friday 10th June 2022 at 1pm for the talk and to take part in the discussion afterwards.

The lunchtime talks are partly supported by MyWorld, a project led by the University of Bristol to support creative industries in the region.

The last talk of every month is BSL interpreted.