Art auction to support World People's Conference coverage ends Friday

• By
• Hilary Henegar

Image by Kris Krüg

International photog Chris Jordan donates famous print to support Vancouver citizen journalist champion Kris Krüg in Bolivia

This week, world leaders are in Bolivia to join people from all corners of the globe at the World People’s Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth (April 19–26, 2010). It’s a long name with a remarkable purpose, and aims to empower you, me, all of us in having a voice in effecting real action on climate justice, on a global level.

Last December, local photographer and social media guru Kris Krüg witnessed a similar “people’s movement” for climate change action at the Copenhagan climate conference, documenting the flood of protesters, riot-geared police and black-hooded anarchists along with the international citizen journalist presence at the Fresh Air Centre for TckTckTck and Granville magazine.

Emboldened by the experience, Kris has made the trek down to Bolivia this week, hoping to capture the people who are the driving force behind the week's talks. The conference includes heavy participation by indigenous peoples as well as environmental justice and indigenous rights organizations.

Journalistic accreditation was granted to Kris and his Static Photography studio manager Danielle Sipple for the duration of the conference, allowing them to participate in the proceedings and document the people and process. Their presence in Bolivia is particularly critical due to the lack of North American journalists in attendance.

Here's the first post: A photo essay about the 10-year anniversary of the Cochabamba Water Wars.
 

Photog Chris Jordan donates print to support the cause

But Bolivia is far away, and their decision to attend the conference was last minute. Meaning: the trip ain’t cheap. Luckily, however, environmental hero and international photographer Chris Jordan (of Midway Island/Pacific Garbage Gyre/post-Katrina fame) has donated a 20x24 signed print of one of his famous photographs to auction off as a travel sponsorship for Kris and Danielle to attend the conference.

That’s where you come in. By placing a bid on the Chris Jordan print, you can support their journey down to Bolivia—and become the owner of a piece of work that supports action on climate change for the sake of the millions of people who are already being impacted by rising waters, severe weather, drought and other effects of global warming. (Bid now. Auction ends 1 a.m. on Friday, April 23, 2010.)

You can also make a donation to Kris and Danielle’s ChipIn page for the World People's Conference on Climate Change, which was created for those who want to support the trip but may only have limited funds to contribute.

Get involved

Bottom line: If you want to support on-the-ground coverage of this people (that’s you) -oriented event, consider pitching in for these local documentarians’ travel expenses.

No money? Then spread the word!