The Other Hundred
I took this photo in Kiribati for Oxfam Australia which is published in the book The Other Hundred with award winning photographers Ami Vitale, Reza, Tomas Munita, Edwin Koo and Andrew Quilty. The Other Hundred tells stories of people that are not financially rich but deserve to be celebrated. For more info about the book, submissions and exhibitions in major cities around the world visit The Other Hundred.
This work portrays a way of life underneath the backdrop of climate change impacting on two South Pacific island communities, Tuvalu and Kiribati. These fragile coral atolls are only a few meters above sea level at their highest points and hence they are vulnerable to sea level rise and associated climate change impacts. The Director of Tuvalu Meteorological Service, Hilia Vavae, says residents see the impacts of sea level rise with “our own eyes, our own observations, we have never had this flooding as intense as this”. She says, “The signal of the sea level is actually rising”. To view the photo essay commissioned by Oxfam Australia visit Signal of the Sea. You can watch the film below.
This film is a remake of the original 5 part series produced for Oxfam Australia and published by Australian Geographic. In collaboration with journalist Michael Green a feature story and images were published by Sydney Morning Herald and the Weekend West Australian. Dekker produced a five part multimedia series published by Australian Geographic. Individual chapters were published by ABC News Online and Sydney Morning Herald.
About Rodney
Rodney Dekker is a photographer and film maker predominantly covering environmental and social justice issues. His most significant project has been documenting the affects of climate change and its resulting hardship on livelihoods in Australia, Bangladesh, Tuvalu and Kiribati. His photos have appeared in many publications including The Toronto Star, The Jakarta Post, The Washington Times, ASIAN Geographic, Australian Geographic, The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Weekend Australian Magazine, Outback, and West Weekend. Videos have been published by ABC online, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Geographic and the Herald Sun. Dekker’s been a finalist of Head On Portrait Prize, Reportage, Moran Photographic Prize, UN Media Peace Awards, Australia's Top Photographers, International Photography Awards, Px3, received nominations for Prix Pictet and PDN’s 30 and was selected for the Eddie Adams Workshop USA. A number of Dekker’s photos are held in the National Library of Australia and in the state libraries of Victoria, Queensland and South Australia. He holds a Masters degree in Environmental Analysis and International Development and is a member of MAP Group.
