Imagine a world where our landscapes are eerily silent, stripped of the wild animals that once roamed free. This isn’t a distant dystopian fantasy—it’s a stark warning from nature photographer Margot Raggett, who has spent the last decade championing conservation efforts globally. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite her tireless work, including raising £1.2 million through her Remembering Wildlife series, Raggett fears we’re taking a dangerous step backward. Her annual not-for-profit picture book, launched in 2015 during the drafting of the Paris climate agreement, has become a poignant reminder of what we stand to lose. Yet, in the years since, global efforts to combat the climate crisis have been alarmingly rolled back.
Take the U.S., for instance. Under Donald Trump, the country withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2020, only for Joe Biden to reverse the decision—until Trump threatened to pull out again at the start of his second term. Across the pond, the UK’s political landscape isn’t much brighter. Both the Conservatives and Reform UK have vowed to abandon the 2050 net zero target if they gain power. And this is the part most people miss: while Raggett remains hopeful, she’s also deeply concerned. ‘I’m nervous,’ she admits, ‘but I’m encouraged by the many people who still care.’ Her determination to fight on is a testament to the power of individual action, but she’s clear: ‘We can’t be complacent.’
This year’s Ten Years of Remembering Wildlife release drives home the urgency with a provocative twist. It features original and altered images of animals like polar bears, cheetahs, and pangolins—first thriving in their natural habitats, then eerily erased. These visuals are a stark glimpse into a future we’re hurtling toward if we don’t change course. ‘The rate of wildlife decline is staggering,’ Raggett warns. ‘We could soon face landscapes devoid of these creatures.’ Her goal? To jolt us into action before it’s too late.
But the threat isn’t just global—it’s local, too. In the UK, the government’s push to build 1.5 million homes by the end of its first term has raised red flags. Ministers have instructed the Environment Agency to fast-track planning applications with minimal scrutiny, a move that has environmentalists up in arms. Earlier this year, Rachel Reeves boasted about clearing a 20,000-home development despite concerns over protected snail species. Raggett calls for a ‘massive pause’ on these ‘short-sighted’ plans. ‘We’re all intertwined with nature,’ she reminds us. ‘In a built-up country like ours, it’s easy to forget how every species—from snails to trees—plays a vital role in our ecosystem, including clearing carbon from the atmosphere.’
Her passion for conservation was ignited by a heartbreaking encounter in Kenya. She stumbled upon an elephant that had fallen victim to poaching, its body ravaged by hyenas. ‘I felt so powerless,’ she recalls. That moment spurred her to create Remembering Wildlife. Yet, the fight against poaching remains uneven. While China’s ivory ban has made a difference, the illegal trade persists in other parts of Asia. ‘Poaching is still a rampant criminal industry,’ Raggett notes. ‘Tackling demand, especially in regions where these products are used in traditional medicine, is crucial.’
Raggett’s work is also a tribute to pioneers like Jane Goodall, whom she met in 2018. ‘Her determination was inspiring,’ she says. ‘Even at 91, she was tirelessly advocating for wildlife.’ Goodall’s legacy—marked by wisdom, humor, and humility—continues to inspire Raggett’s mission.
Here’s the question that lingers: Are we doing enough to protect our planet’s wildlife, or are we sleepwalking into a future where these creatures exist only in memory? Raggett’s work challenges us to act—but what will it take for us to truly listen? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that could shape our collective future.
