As world leaders convene in the Amazon for the COP30 climate summit, a powerful photographic exhibition in Port Said is presenting a stark, visual testament to the planet’s environmental crises and the communities fighting back.
Titled “Down to Earth: Climate Change and Climate Futures,” the exhibition is organized by Photopia in partnership with the World Press Photo Foundation and is held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Netherlands in Cairo. The showcase, located in Princess Feryal’s Garden, features 21 award-winning projects from the World Press Photo archive, all focused on climate issues of the 21st century.
“The exhibition offers, through its photographed stories, a living and documented visual testimony to the environmental destruction of earth,” said Marwa Abu Leila, Founder and Executive Director of Photopia. “These stories don’t only highlight the crisis scale, but also invite reflection on solutions for a more balanced future.”
The exhibition is structured in two acts. The first presents a global panorama of devastation: images of rampant resource extraction, rising seas, wildfires, and drought. These works document the severe impact of industrial activity on ecosystems and human communities.
A second, more hopeful section shifts focus to adaptation and resistance. It highlights stories of renewable energy innovation, scientific food solutions, indigenous knowledge, and grassroots protests, showcasing the power of collective action in preserving the planet’s fragile balance.
Port Said Governor, Major General Moheb Habashi, linked the event to Egypt’s broader climate policies. He stated that hosting the exhibition underscores the nation’s commitment to its National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which includes limiting emissions and expanding green energy projects.
“Art and documentary photography play a vital role in shaping communities’ awareness of environmental and climate issues,” Habashi added, praising the organizers for using art as a tool for awareness.
The opening ceremony was attended by a senior delegation from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Cairo, including Deputy Head of Mission Eva Wittman.
The “Down to Earth” exhibition will remain on display, offering a poignant, visual parallel to the critical discussions taking place at the COP30 conference in Brazil.
TunisianMonitorOnline (Douha Essaafi)
