Nairobi,
April 22 2009 - His striking, aerial photos
have awakened the imaginations of millions,
and his new film "Home", illustrates
the beauty of our planet, and the urgent
need to sustain it. Meanwhile his non-profit
organization, GoodPlanet has made strides
at sensitizing the public on how to lead
a more environmentally responsible life.
For this demonstrated commitment to environmental
causes, UNEP is proud to designate Yann
Arthus-Bertrand its Goodwill Ambassodor
for 2009.
Born in France in 1946,
Arthus-Bertrand always had a passion for
nature and, at the age of 30, he moved to
Kenya with his wife, Anne, to study the
behaviour of lions in the Masaai Mara Reserve.
While there the budding photographer discovered
a unique way of capturing the stunning landscapes
- flying miles above the earth in a hot
air balloon.
Years later in 2000,
Arthus-Bertrand a budding photographer no
more, entered the public limelight, following
a large-scale public art exhibition titled
"Earth from Above". Premiering
in Paris to unprecedented success, the exhibition
soon traveled to cities around the world
to reach over 130 million visitors across
every populated continent by 2008. The idea
was to inspire people to think globally
about sustainable living while admiring
locally images that show our planet in all
its fragile and stunning splendor. To date,
the book has sold millions of copies in
over 21 languages.
By 2005, Arthus-Bertrand
created the association GoodPlanet. This
international NGO develops numerous projects
whose shared objective is to educate about
sustainable development and request individuals
across every background, culture and border
to think beyond the development of our planet
and, instead, toward the future of all of
its inhabitants.
Now, in his new film
"Home" scheduled for worldwide
release on June 5, 2009, Arthus Bertrand
takes viewers on a unique journey all around
the planet to contemplate and understand
its workings and show us that the marks
we leave behind are having a negative impact
on its well being. The film is a travel
notebook showing only landscapes captured
from above. In this sense "Home"
calls for a new awareness, because as we
observe ourselves from the air, we see our
world in a whole new light.
Arthus-Bertrand's latest
project is 'Vu du Ciel', a documentary series
broadcast on French TV station France 2.
The programme is filmed on High Definition
video and uses investigative journalism
to document environmental degradation around
the globe. In addition, the show celebrates
scientists, environmentalists and members
of the public who are engaged in the fight
to save our planet.
As UNEP Goodwill Ambassador,
Arthus-Bertrand's prestige, talent and passion
will raise and reinforce public awareness
of environmental issues and the solutions
to these. In his new role, it is expected
that Arthus-Bertrand will engage in public
advocacy, fundraising and participate in
relevant UNEP events, among other duties.
For more information
please contact: Anne-France White, Associate
Information Officer, at tel: +254 20 762
3088, Mobile: +254 (0)728 600 494, or e-mail:
anne-france.white@unep.org or Nick Nuttall,
UNEP Spokesperson, at tel: +254 20 762 3084,
mobile: +254 733 632755, or e-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org;
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