/ 2017 / Book (series Only) / Nature

The Glacier and Penguins

  • Photographer
    Xiao Gu, United States

The Antarctic is known as the last wilderness
because for being the only place that human beings
have not spoiled. In the pictures, the penguins
were gazing into the deep navy blue ocean and
joyously strolling along the icy surface of the
glaciers, enjoying the peacefulness of their
homeland. Due to the changing climate, however,
the glaciers are melting dramatically and therefore
negatively impacting the already tough lives of the
local residents – the penguins. Global warming is
jeopardizing penguins’ (especially Adélie penguins’)
breeding areas, harming their food supply and
causing increased chick mortality.

Born in Beijing and spent her childhood and teen years in various places including Tibet, Szechuan and Yunnan, Xiao “Freya” Gu is a volunteer, traveler and photographer currently based in New York. Early experience of diverse cultures and exposure to different communities unleashed her fascination for human and nature. She is passionate about observing and connecting the world through travelling and volunteering. She has traveled to all 7 continents and has been a dedicated volunteer since she was 15. She takes her lenses to capture precious moments, when she sees true beauty and dignity in human as well as the wilderness in nature.