Imagine a world where our landscapes are eerily silent, devoid of the majestic creatures that once roamed them. This chilling vision is not just a dystopian fantasy—it’s a stark warning from nature photographer Margot Raggett, who has spent the past decade championing conservation efforts globally. Despite raising an impressive £1.2 million through her Remembering Wildlife series, a not-for-profit annual picture book featuring stunning images from the world’s top nature photographers, Raggett admits she’s deeply anxious about the future. ‘It feels like we’re moving backward,’ she says, her words echoing the growing unease among environmentalists worldwide.
But here’s where it gets controversial: while initiatives like the Paris climate agreement once sparked hope, recent years have seen a rollback in global commitments. The U.S., under Donald Trump, withdrew from the agreement in 2020, only to rejoin under Joe Biden—yet the instability persists. Meanwhile, in the UK, political parties like the Conservatives and Reform UK are openly pledging to abandon the 2050 net zero target. Is this the death knell for global climate action?
Raggett recalls a time when the world seemed more united in its push for renewables over oil drilling. ‘Nature’s importance is something we all need to hold onto,’ she urges. Yet, despite her worries, she finds hope in the countless individuals still fighting for change. ‘I’m nervous, but I’m also encouraged by the people who care,’ she says. ‘We can’t afford to be complacent.’
This year’s Remembering Wildlife release, titled Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife, drives home the urgency with a powerful visual statement. It pairs original images of animals like polar bears, cheetahs, and pangolins in their natural habitats with altered versions where these creatures have been erased. The message is clear: this could be our future if we don’t act now. ‘The decline of wildlife is happening at an alarming rate,’ Raggett warns. ‘We’re at risk of losing these species forever.’
And this is the part most people miss: even in the UK, where Raggett’s concerns hit closer to home, government policies are exacerbating the problem. Plans to build 1.5 million homes by the end of the parliamentary term have led to relaxed planning regulations, with ministers instructing the Environment Agency to fast-track applications. Environmentalists are dismayed, and recent revelations—like Rachel Reeves boasting about bypassing protections for endangered snails to clear a housing development—only add fuel to the fire.
Raggett calls for a ‘massive pause’ on these ‘short-sighted’ plans. ‘We’re all interconnected with nature,’ she explains. ‘In a developed country like ours, it’s easy to forget how every species contributes to our ecosystem—from pollinating plants to clearing carbon from the atmosphere.’ She advocates for redeveloping brownfield sites before sacrificing more countryside. ‘We’ve already lost so much,’ she laments.
Raggett’s passion for conservation was ignited by a heartbreaking encounter in Kenya: an elephant, poisoned by poachers, being devoured by hyenas. ‘I felt so powerless,’ she recalls. ‘That’s when I knew I had to do something.’ While efforts to combat poaching have seen mixed results—China’s ivory ban, for instance, has made a difference, though illegal trade persists in other parts of Asia—Raggett stresses that tackling demand, especially in regions where poaching products are used in traditional medicine, remains critical. Is enough being done to address this global criminal industry?
The recent passing of renowned primatologist Jane Goodall at 91 serves as a poignant reminder of the legacy we must uphold. Raggett, who met Goodall in 2018, was struck by her unwavering dedication. ‘She was an inspiration—humble, determined, and full of wisdom,’ she reflects.
As we stand at this crossroads, Raggett’s message is both a warning and a call to action. What kind of world are we leaving behind? Will we be remembered for our inaction, or for our courage to fight for the planet’s future? The choice is ours—and the clock is ticking.
