Toby Smith

Environmentalist, Idea generator, Photographer, Producer

Toby is the Visuals and Media Programme Lead, with a strategic goal of expanding our presence, influence and impact in the visual and media sectors. He joins us with over 12 years experience as an award-winning environmental photographer who focuses on building innovative and global stories through collaboration and publication in leading editorial outlets. Toby graduated with a Masters in Photography from London College of Communication in 2008 after spending 2 years working across Africa utilising his bachelors degree in Zoology and Environmental Science. He is an Associate Scholar of the University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute and lives near Stroud with his wife and son.

Photography and Positive Change...

Humans are visual animals: our understanding of the world is dominated by what we see, and how this makes us feel. But despite decades of public engagement (and the proliferation of research on the verbal and written communication of climate change), for a long time there was little evidence on which to base a choice that thousands of journalists, activists, bloggers and educators face on a daily basis: how to communicate climate change effectively using the visual medium. Our visuals and media programme is the world’s only evidence-backed initiative focussing on climate change photography. Fusing international social research, expertise and industry insights, we are working with partners across the world to move away from clichéd images of polar bears, melting ice caps and factories, to catalyse a new – more compelling, diverse and impactful – visual language for climate change.

Climate Change, Environment, Journalism, Media, Photography, Photojournalism, Visual Communication