This lifeguard tower stands empty on a quiet beach, a metaphor for our collective inaction. As climate change accelerates, rising sea levels, extreme weather, and coastal erosion threaten our shorelines.
The structure, built for vigilance and safety, now questions who is really watching. Who is responding?
This image urges reflection: achieving net zero isn’t just policy, it’s a lifeline. We are running out of time to act. The beach may still seem calm, but the storm is not far off.
Quaniet Richards is a Cape Town-based photographer and storyteller passionate about capturing the city’s untold stories in black and white. Through his lens, he reveals the raw beauty, resilience, and diversity of urban life, using photography as a tool for connection, empathy, and powerful storytelling. As the founder of #humansofcapetown, Quaniet brings together a vibrant community of photographers to shoot, share, and shape the visual narratives that define Cape Town’s unique spirit.