Earth Hour 2010

I've just come back from my excursion at the power plant in the Czech Republic only to see what things look like at the illuminated billboards at Piccadilly Circus when the lights go out. Welcome to Earth Hour, a global event organized by WWF, held on the last Saturday of March annually, asking households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change.

In its fourth year, a record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

I was a small part of that in central London, and a few images you can see below.

There is also a WWF Earth Hour Flickr Photostream for those globally minded photo enthusiasts.

Chimney Camping

Greenpeace has done it many times, and here once again. We have climbed and occupied the 300-metre high chimney of the Czech Prunerov II coal-fired power plant for three days. Highlighting the plant's enormous contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change, the activists named it 'global shame'.

Taking pictures in these dizzying heights at wind speeds above 30 knots and in temperatures close to zero at night, this job was certainly more than a good day in the office. What can I say folks? I just love my job...

Monkey Business

When it comes to protests, you can't really go wrong with monkeys. That philosophy was recently applied by my good friends at Greenpeace UK who staged a protest outside Nestle's HQ in Croydon, south London.

Highlighting the plight of Orang-Utans due to rainforest destruction in Indonesia, Nestle is accused of complicity by purchasing palm oil from the region. So to drive the point home, activists dressed as monkeys paid the company a visit and got down to some rather funny monkey business. Even the police liked it and the day went past with a lot of amusement and smiles all around - except for those working inside the Nestle building. A quick excerpt you can view below:

Children's Carnival

In the small village of Nedvezi, its 200-odd inhabitants look forward to one event in the year's festive calendar more than any other: their children's carnival. It is as much an opportunity to show off the elaborate, colourful costumes proud mothers make for their kids, as it is for the menfolk to get together and socialise, preferably at the bar. As the afternoon and evening progress, the programme, music, dancing and chatter turn into a blur as we collectively toast to eternal friendship, the best event of the year, another round of shots and back to eternal friendship again.

As part of my second book project, I am very keen to participate and see local traditions, get to know the people and hear their stories, joys and worries in life - it helps me to understand and hopefully, produce a body of work that reflects those lifestyles in these times of change and uncertainty.

From my hazy memory of that particular evening, the locals' hospitality was humbling, the alcohol strong and plentiful, and the pictures, ah well, see for yourselves.

View the full set of the Childrens Carnival

Winter landscapes

I've been away again, for several weeks this time, and again it's been to the calm, soothing, middle-of-nowhere village of Nedvezi in the Czech Republic.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, we went for a walk to clear that hangover, and I got to play with light and shade on my trusty G10. Here are the results: