WASHINGTON, July 12 – A new photographic exhibition highlighting the urgent need to combat climate change at the local, national and global levels opens this week on American University’s central quad.  Presented by the British Council USA and the British Embassy, NorthSouthEastWest chronicles the impact of climate change in communities from all parts of the globe, as seen through the lenses of ten of the world’s top photographers.

The exhibit, developed by the British Council in partnership with The Climate Group and Magnum Photos, features the art of award-winning Magnum photographers including Ian Barry, Alex Webb, Chris Steele-Perkins and Bruce Gilden.  Each photograph captures a striking example of climate change and its effects, ranging from extreme weather events and observed glacier retreats to poor urban air quality and environmental refugees.  The exhibition also highlights ways to reduce carbon emissions in communities around the globe, including fuel cell technology, effective public transport systems, carbon capture and storage and emissions trading.

"We are delighted to bring the NorthSouthEastWest exhibit to American University, in the heart of the nation's capital," said British Ambassador David Manning. "Climate change and energy are pressing international issues and key priorities for the United Kingdom's G8 and EU presidencies. The powerful words and images of the exhibit illustrate an urgent need for action and international cooperation."

“American University is an institution intensely engaged in education on topics of global significance," said President Benjamin Ladner. “No issue is currently more important than that of global climate change and the ramifications that will result from inattention or indifference. We are pleased to host this exhibit on our campus with the British Embassy, and we look forward to future partnerships with the Embassy, the British Council, and The Climate Group."  

American University’s College of Arts and Sciences will host NorthSouthEastWest until July 29, when it will move to the World Bank. The exhibition originally opened in March 2005 in London as part of the British Council’s global ZeroCarbonCity initiative, a two-year campaign to raise awareness and stimulate debate around climate change and the challenges faced around the world. Between now and 2006, NorthSouthEastWest will visit cities in more than 60 countries.

The British Council USA increases recognition of the wide array of learning opportunities available in the UK and facilitates educational cooperation between the US and UK. The organization also showcases British creativity by introducing the American public to high-quality, groundbreaking artistic achievement, and highlights the UK's scientific innovation in disciplines ranging from biotechnology to planetary science. Through its work, the British Council USA endeavors to promote an image of the UK that is up-to-date, vibrant, in the vanguard of new thinking and fully representative of the country’s geographic and cultural diversity.

The Climate Group is a non-profit organization working to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by assembling a leadership coalition of the world’s most pro-active companies, cities, states and governments.

Magnum Photos is a photographic cooperative of great diversity and distinction owned by its photographer-members. With powerful individual vision, Magnum photographers chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues and personalities. Through its four offices in New York, London, Paris and Tokyo, and a network of 15 sub-agents, Magnum Photos provides photographs to the press, publishers, advertising, television, galleries and museums across the world.

American University Located in Washington, DC, American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the U.S. and more than 150 countries and providing opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation's capital and around the world.

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