Brighton academic helps Save The Children create unique COP26 photos

Save the Children are showcasing a groundbreaking experimental photo-series documenting the stories of children and their families on the frontline of the climate crisis, captured by world-renowned photographers in Australia, Cambodia, and Pakistan.

As Subject Lead for Chemistry in the School of Applied Sciences, Dr Dymond was asked to bring his expertise to bear in exposing the photographs to environmental elements linked to the climate crisis in different regions – for example, specific chemical pollutants.

For images by Lim Sokchanlina of people dealing with the devastation of fish stocks and forests around Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake (the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia), Dr Dymond treated the pictures with chemicals polluting the lake, so that the pictures physically reflect what is happening to the lake and the lives of those around it.

Child swimming in Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia, picture by Lim Sokchanlina, chemically treated by Marcus Dymond

Smoking brick kiln on edge of Lahore, picture by Nad E Ali, chemical treatment by Marcus Dymond

Images by Nad E Ali from Pakistan, meanwhile, were treated with pollutants harming people in the Pakistan city of Lahore, while pictures by Matthew Abbott from Australia were exposed to harsh sunlight to mimic the effect of extreme heat, as well as related destruction from bush fires.

Research by Save the Children found children born in the past year will on average face seven times as many scorching heatwaves, and nearly three times more crop failures and river floods than people born 60 years ago – as well as double the number of droughts and wildfires.

Dr Dymond, whose previous research included looking at prospects of finding life in the clouds of Jupiter, said: “Merging art and science, the images and stories in this series represent the devastating impact that the climate crisis is having across the world on children and families. I've been working with Save the Children to apply climate change-causing chemicals and pollutants to the Pakistan and Cambodia images, helping visualise their plight.’”

Gwen Hines, CEO of Save the Children, said: “These stories show the devastating impact the climate crisis is already having on the lives of children across the world. Each one is a powerful reminder that children are at the heart of this crisis, being robbed of their childhood today and their futures tomorrow. 

“Our climate is becoming increasingly unpredictable, with deadly consequences. In recent years we've seen a surge in flood, droughts, heatwaves and forest fires. Without action we risk handing our children a deadlier and more uncertain world. But we know change is possible. We’re calling on the UK government, as hosts of COP26, to lead global action now before it’s too late.”