Photo by @amivitale. Cattle owned by the Mbororo community gather at dawn near Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of N’Djamena, Chad. Climate change is putting increasing pressure on these communities. Traditionally, during the rainy season that extended from Nov.-Feb., the community would migrate following the rain, starting near Lake Chad, and traveling south, away from the lake. Now, the rainy season has been reduced from four months, to two, while the drought period has extended and flooding has become more common. Temperatures have risen from a range of 59ºF to 68ºF to today, close to 101ºF and many water resources have disappeared completely. All of this has had a huge impact on traditional ways of life. Among them, cows giving less milk, walking farther and farther to get food and water, and increased food insecurity. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @hindououmar is working to help the community adapt while urging the world to tackle the problem at its roots. She is helping harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques held by the community, to adapt while also bringing these stories before the @unitednations and other governing bodies. @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonambassador #amivitale #nikonlove #globalwarming #cattle (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8rXVLlhSY_/?igshid=i3lf4o15lbk7

Photo by @amivitale. The distinctive horns of long-horned Zebu cattle cut through the early dawn light. They are owned by the local Mbororo community in the village of Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of NíDjamena, Chad. The Mbororo are nomadic pastoralists and travel during the wet season, following the rains from the south to the north. Groups of several dozen relatives, including children and elders, travel on foot, donkey or camel, and stay at each grazing spot only for a couple of days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages capturing the work of @hindououmar, a member of the Mbororo community, who is working to harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques held by the community, to adapt to the impact of climate change. @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RMbBUBlwM/?igshid=wzl5zcck8hw3

Photo by @amivitale. People disperse after a ceremonial dance while children look on in the village of Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of NíDjamena, Chad. There is no television here, no electricity and probably because of this, the art of storytelling, dance and culture is an important celebration of life for the Mbororo people. They are nomadic pastoralists and travel during the wet season, following the rains from the south to the north. Groups of several dozen relatives, including children and elders, travel on foot, donkey or camel, and stay at each grazing spot only for a couple of days. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages capturing the work of @hindououmar, a member of the Mbororo community, who is working to harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques held by the community, to adapt to the impact of climate change. @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7UhkhKhUhv/?igshid=1nt1719owjr0n

Photo by @amivitale. Mbororo women stand beside the fire in their encampment near Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of N’Djamena, Chad. In the center wearing pink is @hindououmar, a member of the Mbororo community, who is working to harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques they hold, to adapt to the impact of climate change. Nomadic pastoralists, the Mbororo travel throughout the rainy season, from south to north following the rains with their livestock. The community, composed of groups of relatives, including children and elders travel on foot, donkey or camel, staying only a few days at each stop. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages capturing the work of @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonambassador #nikonlove #amivitale #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8zBxiHhx4g/?igshid=1cebhmc5vh320

Photo by @amivitale. A girl rides a donkey in the village of Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of NíDjamena, Chad. Nomadic pastoralists, the Mbororo travel throughout the rainy season, from south to north following the rains with their livestock. The community, composed of groups of relatives, including children and elders travel on foot, donkey or camel, staying only a few days at each stop. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages capturing the work of @hindououmar, a member of the Mbororo community, who is working to harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques held by the community, to adapt to the impact of climate change. @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8QPnp1B96f/?igshid=18o2kuj2ou1w0

Photo by @amivitale. A goat stands atop a long horned Zebu. This livestock is owned by the local Mbororo community in the village of Gouwa, about a hundred miles north of the capital of NíDjamena, Chad. Nomadic pastoralists, the Mbororo travel throughout the rainy season, from south to north following the rains. The community, composed for groups of relatives, including children and elders travel on foot, donkey or camel, staying only a few days at each stop. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages capturing the work of @hindououmar, a member of the Mbororo community, who is working to harness the centuries of wisdom and weather-predicting techniques held by the community, to adapt to the impact of climate change. @hindououmar recently received the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius Award by @uclaioes, a prize I'm proud to have nominated her for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HkDcfBmm5/?igshid=1wedvhwic01f

Thirty-one years ago, Alexia Tsairis, a talented young photographer was returning home from her study abroad program in London when a bomb exploded on her flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 270 people onboard. To remember, honor and celebrate her life, Alexia's parents channeled their despair and devastation to create The @AlexiaFoundation, an organization which gives grants to students and professional photographers. They have awarded 147 student and 28 professional grants and the impact the foundation has had on this world cannot be overstated. These grants have created change and moved us towards a world where peace is possible. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Tn 2000, I was privileged to receive the Alexia Grant and it changed my life forever. It was the first time I was given the opportunity to take the time to understand and to commit to a story in depth. In many ways, my Alexia Grant made me the person I am today. I could not be more grateful for this opportunity or more honored to have had the chance to do it in the name of Alexia. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This holiday season, I urge you to consider supporting The Alexia Foundation. Take some time to dig into their archives and see the work they have made possible. Please do share this post. You could have a great impact. Thank you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #fulani #guineabissau #grants #photojournalism #alexiagrants #indigenous #indigneouspeople #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #nikonambassador https://www.instagram.com/p/B6loblPBp6r/?igshid=4n9fv97lwb6o

Photo by @amivitale. Despite the tremendously disappointing end to #COP25, I still have great hope because I know there are people like @hindououmar in the world, pictured here collecting water with the women of the village of Gouwa, about 100 miles north of NíDjamena, the capital of Chad. @hindououmar is a member of the Mbororo pastoralist community. At the age of 15, she founded the Association of Indigenous Peul Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT), an organization focused on rights and environmental protection. Since then, she has taken her work on behalf of indigenous peoples, women and the environment to the highest levels. Most recently she addressed the delegates at #COP25 urging action. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @hindououmar was also named the 2019 Pritzker Environmental Genius by @uclaioes, an award I'm proud to have nominated her for. The award recognizes an environmental leader, under the age of 40, who is on the verge of making lasting change in the field of environmental sustainability. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I recently visited @hindououmar in Chad on behalf of @rippleeffectimages where she showed me more about her work harnessing the knowledge the indigenous community there regarding water and climate change. Learn more by following along here and at @rippleeffectimages ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @conservationorg @photography.for.good @natgeo @natgeoimagecollection @thephotosociety @nikonusa #PritzkerEnvironmentalGeniusAward #inspiring #inspiration #humanitarian #wisdom #climatechange #mitigation #pritzkergeniusaward #globalwarming #adaption #mbororo #indigenous #indigneouspeople #letgirlslearn #educateagirl #thefutureisfemale #education #nikonnofilter #nikonlove #globalwarming #climateemergency #climateadvocacy #climateadaption #therippleeffect #rippleeffectimages #rippleeffect (at Chad) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6ORStnBCkq/?igshid=1xzxvsurz9p9e