Postcards from the Frontline Met With Overwhelming Support From the Maldivian Public, With One Photo Submitted per Every 56 Maldivians

Postcards from the Frontline, a movement initiated by a group of Maldivian photographers, artists, environmentalists, designers and writers who aim to send a nationwide appeal to 350 of the most influential people in the world via one-of-a-kind postcards, received an overwhelming amount of photo submissions from contributors, with over 6500 photos submitted, averaging upto 1 photo submitted per every 56 Maldivians.

The movement, which is affiliated with the international climate campaign 350.org, aims to send postcards of appeal to negotiators at the crucial UN Climate Change Conference, which will be held in Copenhagen in December. In addition, postcards will also be sent to heads of states and governments, celebrity environmental ambassadors, environmental correspondents of major news networks, and environmental advocates, in order to give ‘a face’ to the issue in the hope that it will amplify the message of the precarious plight of the Maldives in time for the climate conference.

‘The reaction we got from the public was amazing,’ said Ahid Rasheed, one of the leading organisers of the movement. “We had photos flooding in as the day for submission neared. It ended up exceeding our expectations completely.”

The immense public support for the movement stands as evidence that Maldivians want to take a proactive stand against climate change. As co-organiser and photographer Umair Badeeu puts it, “We are all equally concerned about the possible plight of our country, and this has proved that we are willing to go that extra step to ensure that our country remains intact for future generations of Maldivians.’

Photos were submitted by Maldivians from various walks of life and ranged from snapshots that captured the essence of the typical Maldivian picnic, the laid-back lifestyle on shady island main streets and the spirit of local children. As photo submitter Thamooh Saeed points out, ‘It was a chance for everyone to personally affect something that could help all of us. We have to make sure that the world understands that with each moment of inaction, we are compromising the very existence of what we call home.’

The submitted photos are now being short-listed for the final 350 photos. In the process, judges are looking for photos that provide a narrative of life in the Maldives as seen by the ordinary Maldivian. The final 350 photos chosen will be exhibited in Male’ on 24 October, the International Day of Climate action, before they get dispatched to their intended recipients,
where they will serve their fate, and determine ours.

More information about the movement available on www.350postcards.com . 
To contact the Postcards from the Frontline Team, please email: info@350postcards.com , or call us directly on +(960) 778 1650 or +(960) 986 5178

LiveJournal Tags: Maldives,Postcards from the frontline,Climate Change,Copenhagen Summit,350postcards.com,Dhivehi Observer