Rick Smolan ’72 and his company, Against All Odds Publications, released Blue Planet Run, a global project exploring the planetary water crisis and those entrepreneurs, artists, foundations and individuals working to improve the situation.
The book brings together several elements to showcase the complexity and depth of the problem as well as possible solutions. Forty photojournalists spent one month this summer trekking across the globe to photograph the human face of the water crisis and to document the extent of the crisis.
During the same month, 20 runners of 13 nationalities participated in a 95-day relay race around the world to raise awareness of the water crisis’ severity. The 15,000-mile race was the longest relay in human history.
Stunning photographic illustrations from these endeavors are paired in the book with essays from writers, environmentalists, inventors and journalists like Robert Redford, Diane Ackerman and Dean Kamen.
The book recently was featured as part of the Time magazine holiday buying guide. Reviewer Richard Lacayo wrote, “Pictures from scores of photographers working all around the world show what the crisis looks like now (it looks bad), the solutions available, (those look better), and the reasons why blue has to become the new green.”
An estimated 1 billion people do not have access to clean water. Serving as a call to action, Blue Planet Run shows developing solutions that give hope to a dismal situation, assuring readers that there is still time to make a difference.
One hundred percent of the book’s royalties will be used to fund safe drinking-water projects that provide clean water to people around the world who desperately need it. In addition, two trees will be planted for every tree used in the book’s production.
Formerly a photographer for Time, Life and National Geographic, Smolan created the critically acclaimed Day in the Life and America 24/7 series. He was named one of the 25 Most Influential Dickinsonians this fall.
For more information, go to:
Back to For Alumni |
