Latest news with #RoyalGeographicalSociety
Stuff.tv
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Get exclusive savings when you visit Acer at the Festival of Outdoor Photography this weekend!
Our friends at Amateur Photographer are hosting a Festival of Outdoor Photography at the Royal Geographical Society in South Kensington, London, UK from May 30 to 1 June 2025. As a special promotion we have a STUFF40 code that gives you access to 40% off the full price of all tickets. And if you visit the festival, you'll also get the chance to visit the Stuff space at the event, presented in association with Acer. It's all about portable power, smart connectivity, and making sure your gear doesn't give up before golden hour. Better yet, you'll get access to some exclusive savings. Acer's range of Portable Power Stations are perfect for photographers who think lugging a backup generator into the wilds is a bit much. And when you pick up either the 600W or 1800W model, and Acer will chuck in a free solar panel worth up to £399. The offer's valid through 30 June and available via Amazon and Currys. However, if you're going to the Festival you can get aan exclusive 10% discount on any Acer Power Station purchase made during the event – you just have to swing by the Stuff space at the event, presented in association with Acer. With long-lasting batteries that can be recharged 3000 times, each Acer Power Station means you can have reliable power wherever you go and keep your kit juiced. They also boast Rapid recharge too so there's not much waiting around. You can charge even the 1800W model in under 2 hours! But it's not just about keeping things juiced. Acer's also showing off its latest connectivity devices – perfect companions to its freshly announced AI-powered laptops. Whether you're backing up field shots, editing RAWs on the fly, or livestreaming your hike, this is the tech to make your mobile set-up sing. Join us at the Amateur Photographer Festival of Outdoor Photography So what can you expect from the festival? It will bring together an incredible selection of world-class experts who will share their knowledge and passion. There will be inspiring talks, photo walks, hands-on workshops and other interactive activities covering everything to do with outdoor photography. Speakers include wildlife and bird photography experts Tesni Ward, Rachel Bigsby and Tim Flach, renowned landscape photographers Liam Man and Quintin Lake, street specialists Nick Turpin and Damien Demolder. Plus, Chris Coe and Bella Falk on travel plus Peter Dench talking about documentary photography. And a reminder that as a special promotion we have a STUFF40 code that gives you access to 40% off the full price of all tickets. The event takes place at the Royal Geographical Society in London's historic South Kensington museum district. The Amateur Photographer Festival of Outdoor Photography at a glance Dates: Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June 2025 Location: The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, England – SW7 2AR Ticket prices before the discount: 1 day £50, 2 days £80, 3 days £100 Get your tickets now: and remember to use the code STUFF40 to get the discount.
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Science
- Daily Express
Kinabatangan woman's bond with jumbos wins recognition
Published on: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Published on: Wed, May 28, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Nurzhafarina receiving the 2025 Whitley Fund for Nature award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London April 30. (Pic: Facebook/Seratu Aatai) Kota Kinabalu: It was as if destiny had written her path. For over two decades, Nurzhafarina Othman's life journey in Sabah has been deeply intertwined with the majestic presence of the Bornean elephant, particularly within the lush, tropical rainforests of the Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) unexpectedly opened the door to an entirely new world, one that allowed her to understand, in a profoundly holistic way, the ecology, social structure and behaviour of the largest land mammal in South-east Asia. The native of Kedah has since dedicated her life to studying every aspect of the Bornean elephant's life cycle as a senior lecturer at the UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, playing a vital role in the conservation of these gentle giants, whose future is increasingly threatened. Her journey is even more inspiring with her leadership as the founder and director of Seratu Aatai, a non-profit dedicated to elephant conservation, an unwavering commitment that earned global recognition in April when she was awarded the prestigious Whitley Award, often known as the 'Green Oscars'. Speaking to Bernama, she shared how a unique and powerful bond naturally formed between her and the elephants during her encounters in the field, which revealed a side of the species many never see, sensitive, affectionate and intelligent creatures capable of deep emotional expression. It is a connection built not just on science, but on mutual respect and understanding, that continues to shape her mission to protect these extraordinary animals and the fragile ecosystems they call home. Advertisement 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. At first, studying Bornean elephants was just a means to complete my degree. But the more time I spent with them, it felt as though they were telling me to stay,' said the young scientist softly in a recent exclusive interview. 'There has always been an opportunity to learn, to understand them more deeply. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she added with a quiet conviction. As she recounted her journey, Nurzhafarina shared that she has never experienced aggression from the pachyderms; instead, her presence has always been met with calm, almost as if her wild and resilient companions recognised that she was not there to intrude, but to help protect and preserve their world. 'The elephants gave me their time. I spent so much of it with them that I came to know 50 individual females by sight. I even named each one. I followed them for four years. I felt accepted, and at the same time, I kept learning from them. 'We often misunderstand them. Elephants don't attack. Yet we use words like 'attack' or say they 'invade' our space. But I don't think those words are fair because the truth is, they were here long before us,' she explained. It's this quiet truth that fuels Nurzhafarina's lifelong mission to help humans and elephants coexist with understanding and respect, as she believes that local communities sharing the same landscape with Bornean elephants must learn to live in harmony, not through fear, but through tolerance and empathy. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, works closely with these communities through education and outreach to promote deeper awareness and compassion, not just for elephants, but for all forms of wildlife. Seratu Aatai is the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to the protection of the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich, biodiverse region over 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, also home to orangutans, sun bears and the iconic proboscis monkey. The first time Nurzhafarina witnessed the reality of life for Bornean elephants in the wild, it changed her perspective forever. She saw not just the beauty of these gentle giants, but the struggle they face in navigating what little remains of their natural home, forests now surrounded and fragmented by human activity. That moment stirred something deep within her, a calling to become a voice for the elephants, a bridge between human and animal, so these creatures might continue to play their vital role in the forest ecosystem and the wider balance of nature. Speaking about her recent recognition as a recipient of the Whitley Award 2025, Nurzhafarina admitted it was difficult to put her emotions into words. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is known for its intense competitiveness and global prestige. On April 30, she received the £50,000 (approximately RM287,000) award from WFN Patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, as a powerful endorsement of her work to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. The award also recognises her innovative approach in engaging stakeholders in the oil palm industry across the Lower Kinabatangan, encouraging elephant-friendly practices and building a network of safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility. I am grateful to the Whitley platform because it opens up more opportunities for me to share the story of the Bornean elephants. It also gives confidence to everyone working in the field that we are truly on the right path,' she said. For her, this is not just a career, it is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the knowledge and skills she has been given to protect the Bornean elephant, a species classified as 'Endangered' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. While she acknowledges that uniting all parties in the conservation effort is challenging, Nurzhafarina hopes the local communities will join her in this vital mission. She believes it is essential to preserve Kinabatangan as a symbol of harmony and coexistence between humans and wildlife. 'I see Kinabatangan as a very special place. Despite the many challenges in maintaining wildlife habitats, this region remains resilient and strong. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth, with forests and wildlife that exist nowhere else. This is what draws people here. So, we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she emphasised. Her words echo a deep bond, not only with the elephants she protects but with the land they share, reminding us all of the delicate harmony that sustains life in this unique corner of the world. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Euronews
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
7 conversation-starting photos of our precious planet
From a rhino at the end of a rainbow to the molten front line of a wildfire, the shortlist for Earth Photo 2025 is full of riveting environmental stories that demand to be told. The international photography and film competition, created by the UK's Royal Geographical Society, Forestry England and visual art consultancy Parker Harris in 2018, received over 1,500 submissions from 250 'lens artists' in its seventh year. 40 photographers and filmmakers were selected by a jury of experts, who now have the unenviable task of choosing a winner from the 203-strong collection of 'urgent, poetic and often unexpected stories'. 'These stories not only highlight the pressing issues of climate change, such as disappearing habitats, polluted rivers, and climate-induced displacement, but also celebrate human ingenuity, resilience, and the deep connections between people and their environments,' according to a statement from the competition. Here are seven of our favourites, before a winner is selected and The Earth Photo 2025 exhibition launches at the Royal Geographical Society from 17 June - 20 August. Donning a panda suit at Wolong's Hetaoping centre in Sichuan Province is just one of many things that Ami Vitale has done to embody her belief in 'living the story'. The National Geographic photographer, writer and filmmaker has travelled to more than 100 countries, capturing the stories of individuals living on the frontlines of climate change and war, 'who refuse to let cataclysm define their futures'. At the Chinese panda centre, cubs are raised with minimal human contact, including rare hands-on checkups, in hopes of fostering skills for life in the wild. In 'A Hopeful Sign', above, Vitale snapped a black rhino named Bruno, peacefully resting beneath a rainbow at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. For over a decade, Spanish-born artist Berta De La Rosa has dedicated herself to a project called 'Getsemaní', which advocates for the protection of Mediterranean traditions through a focus on the olive tree. 'My mission with this lifelong project, rooted in environmental sustainability, is to give a voice through the figure of the olive tree - as a universal tree, a tree of hope - to all our trees,' she says. 'And by doing so, I hope to safeguard our landscapes and reinstate the dignity of agricultural labour.' Chiara Fabbro is an Italian documentary photographer based in London, focusing on migration, displacement, and human connection. In this series, she turns her lens on what may be the final generation of shepherds living in the remote highlands of the Accursed Mountains, a dramatic range spanning Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Their traditional way of life is threatened by climate-driven drought - forcing flocks to travel further - and a younger generation turning away from remote mountain life. A cross-country ski trail winds through a completely snow-free forest. Today, 90 per cent of Italy's ski slopes rely on artificial snowmaking systems, consuming an estimated 96,840,000 cubic metres of water annually - the equivalent of a city of one million people. That's one aspect of the way global heating is manifesting in Italy, a subject Italian documentary photographer Filippo Ferraro explores through his 'Heataly' project. A Ticuna man is dwarfed by a 500-year-old Ceiba tree in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest in this photo by Colombian photographer and engineer Mateo Borrero. On the face of it, the image seems simply to illustrate the smallness of man beside a natural giant. But a horizontal shadow, at eye-level with the man, tells a deeper story. The tree bears a water line that marks the typical height of the river during the rainy season, which usually peaks between April and May. Taken in May 2024, the photo shows the extent of last year's drought due to climate change. Iceland, once 40 per cent forested, today has only about 1.5 per cent forest cover. Restoration efforts are vital to the country's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040, but face multiple challenges - including from the growing demands of tourism. Tourism in Iceland has skyrocketed in the past decade, observes photographer and director Jussi Hellsten, but emissions from travel are not counted in national inventories under the Kyoto Protocol, complicating the country's climate efforts. 'Since 2021, I have documented the intersection of tourism and reforestation in Iceland using digital infrared photography, a tool commonly employed to assess forest health,' he explains. 'The technique reveals hidden aspects of the landscape,' he says. And, as in this photo, also highlights the essential role of volunteers. Millions of tree seedlings are grown annually at nurseries like Kvistari, pictured here. In January 2025, Bali's beaches were inundated with waves of plastic pollution. Each year, the rainy season flushes Indonesia's polluted rivers, depositing millions of tonnes of plastic waste into the oceans, which then washes up along the country's coastlines. Although these plastic waves are an annual occurrence, 2025 has been called "the worst year yet" by locals. Beijing-based British photographer and filmmaker Sean Gallagher travelled to Indonesia to document this unfolding plastic crisis. His series portrays local Indonesians engaged in community efforts to clean the country's polluted beaches, rivers, and mangroves. Mark Whaling and a crew raced up and down a hill in a tanker truck as they battled a wildfire in Los Angeles County, scrambling to get water from a street hydrant in time to stay ahead of flames moving up a ridge. A helicopter flew in to drop water, but it had to fly a long distance to refill and a fire that might have been stopped went on to destroy homes. As they fought that early 2000s blaze, Whaling says, he spotted a sealed water tank nearby that firefighters had no way of accessing. He thought that was ridiculous. 'We don't tell fire engines, 'Protect the city and go find your own water.' We put fire hydrants every 600 feet (182 metres) all around cities,' said Whaling, who has since retired from the county fire department. 'But when it comes to the helicopters, we weren't supporting them as robustly as we should.' His frustration sparked an idea: the Heli-Hydrant, a relatively small, open tank that can be rapidly filled with water, enabling helicopters to fill up faster for urban fires rather than flying to sometimes distant lakes or ponds. As wildfires become more frequent, Whaling's invention is getting the attention of officials eager to boost preparedness. First used for the 2020 Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda, 10 Heli-Hydrants have been built across Southern California and 16 more are in progress, according to Whaling. Helicopters are essential for firefighting. They can drop about 3,785 litres of water at once - some much more. That's far more than hoses than get on a fire all at once, and can be the best way to attack fires that are difficult for ground crews to reach. But pilots sometimes have to fly a long way to scoop up water, and in drought-prone areas, natural sources can sometimes dry up or diminish so they're hard to draw from. In Southern California's Riverside County, helicopters have had to fly up to about 16 kilometres to find water, eating critical time from battling fires. On a remote plot in the Southern California town of Cabazon, contractor Glenn Chavez stood on a ladder and peered into an empty Heli-Hydrant. A radio in hand, he clicked a button to activate the system and watched as water roared into the tank. In about six minutes, it filled with 32,176 liters. Chavez, a general contractor, was testing the Cabazon Water District's lastest investment — a second Heli-Hydrant that local officials are counting on to help protect the town. At $300,000 (€265,000), it costs slightly less than the average price of a single home in Cabazon. 'Living in a beautiful desert community, you're going to have risks of fire," said Michael Pollack, the district's general manager. "And to have these Heli-Hydrants is a major advantage. People will have a little bit of comfort knowing that they have another tool for fighting fires in their community." Pilots can remotely activate the tanks from half a mile away, with the tank typically filling quickly from a city's water system. Helicopters can fill up in less than a minute. Once it's activated, solar panels and backup batteries ensure the system can still be used during power outages. And at night, lights from the tank and a tower nearby guide pilots toward it. In November, fire responders in San Diego put the product to the test when the 19.5 hectare Garden Fire in Fallbrook, a community known for its avocado groves, prompted evacuation orders and warnings. Helicopters tapped the tank nearly 40 times. Pilot Ben Brown said its proximity to the fire saved not just time but fuel. 'They're great for when you don't have other water sources,' he said. "The more dip sites, especially in some of the more arid environments in the county, the better.' Heli-Hydrants have raised some concerns about their placement in urban areas where houses, buildings and power lines can be obstacles to flight and they might have to squeeze into tighter spaces. In those cases, firefighters may choose to fly farther to a natural source that gives the helicopter more room, said Warren Voth, a deputy pilot with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. A pilot's goal is to always to face the wind while entering and exiting an area, for safety, and they need room to accomplish that. In some cases, the municipal systems needed to fill Heli-Hydrants could go empty during major fires. As the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles burned, three nearly 3.8 million litre tanks that helped pressurize city hydrants in the Pacific Palisades ran dry as demand soared and burning pipes leaked water. Other times, helicopters just can't access them. When winds are fierce, flying is nearly impossible; hurricane-force winds that supercharged the Los Angeles infernos initially grounded firefighting aircraft. When multiple helicopters respond to large blazes, they can't all use the Heli-Hydrant. And smoke can make it hard to see it. Portable water tanks can accomplish some of the things that Heli-Hydrants do, but can require time, people and equipment to set up. Areas where wildland vegetation intersects with human development have always been vulnerable to fires, but more people are living in them today, and climate change is creating conditions that can make these regions drier and more flammable. Jake Wiley has seen intensifying wildfires devastate his community. Two blazes in 2007 and 2017 collectively scorched more than 400 structures in San Diego. The last one forced Wiley, now general manager for the Rainbow Municipal Water District, to evacuate. That fire also prompted local agencies to install a Heli-Hydrant — and when the Garden Fire erupted in November, it played a big role helping firefighters protect homes. 'It seems like when you've seen the worst, you haven't yet,' Wiley said. 'Anything we can do helps.'
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Earth Photo 2025: Photography prize shortlist announced
Earth Photo organises exhibitions and awards to celebrate photography and film that tell stories of our planet. Now 203 of the judges' favourite photos and films have been selected in the 2025 awards organisers, Royal Geographical Society, Forestry England and Parker Harris, say the images have been chosen as they show the beauty of our world, but also how fragile it can be. Take a look at some of the shortlisted photos below:
Stuff.tv
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
WIN! Tickets to the Amateur Photographer Festival of Outdoor Photography worth £100
Our friends at Amateur Photographer are hosting a Festival of Outdoor Photography at the Royal Geographical Society in South Kensington, London, UK from May 30 to 1 June 2025 – and you could win tickets to the event. The event will include inspiring talks, photo walks, hands-on workshops and other interactive activities covering everything to do with outdoor photography. Confirmed expert speakers include wildlife and bird photography experts Tesni Ward, Rachel Bigsby and Tim Flach, renowned landscape photographers Liam Man and Quintin Lake, street specialists Nick Turpin and Damien Demolder. Plus there's Chris Coe and Bella Falk on travel and Peter Dench talking about documentary photography. Plus as a special promotion we have a STUFF40 code that gives you access to 40% off the full price of all tickets. The event takes place at the Royal Geographical Society in London's South Kensington museum district. So whether you're an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills or a budding enthusiast eager to explore the world of outdoor photography, each day will cover a wide range of expertise and interests. Amateur Photographer magazine is the UK's biggest-selling photography magazine. First published in October 1884, it holds the distinction of being the world's oldest consumer photography magazine at over 140 years old. It remains the only printed weekly photo magazine. Festival of Outdoor Photography key details Dates: Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June 2025 Location: The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, England – SW7 2AR Ticket prices before discount: 1 day £50, 2 days £80, 3 days £100 Get your tickets now and remember to use the code STUFF40 to get a discount. And don't forget to enter the competition! Terms and conditions for the competition The competition closes on 19/05/25 and the winner for each will be drawn and notified within one week of the closing date. No cash alternative. The prize is not transferable. The prize from Kelsey Media Ltd, publishers of Amateur Photographer, is valid for the 3-day (Fri-Sun) Festival of Outdoor Photography, taking place at the Royal Geographical Society in London on 30th May to 1st June 2025. Entrants to the prize draw consent to Kelsey Publishing Ltd receiving their contact details in order to select a winner. Employees of Kelsey Media Ltd and any other persons or employees of companies associated with this Competition and members of the families and households of any such persons, are not eligible to enter this Competition. Any such entries will be invalid.
