In conversation with George Steinmetz
Acclaimed photographer and explorer George Steinmetz presents “Population 10 Billion”, an ongoing long-term project investigating one of the defining challenges of our time: how humanity can sustainably meet the demands of a rapidly growing global population. Through extraordinary aerial imagery and immersive storytelling, Steinmetz documents the ways societies around the world are adapting to increasing pressures on food, energy, water, and land resources.
From the vast agricultural landscapes of China and India to innovative sustainable solutions in Europe and the Middle East, Steinmetz’s work reveals both the scale of human consumption and the ingenuity emerging in response to it. His fieldwork across countries including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Benin, Denmark, Italy, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and the U.A.E. offers a compelling global perspective on sustainability, resilience, and the future of our planet.
Combining striking visual narratives with in-depth research, Steinmetz explores a central question raised by scientists and environmental experts: if everyone adopted the lifestyle of the world’s most industrialized nations, humanity would require four to five Earths to sustain itself. Through breathtaking photographs captured from above, he invites audiences to reconsider humanity’s relationship with the environment and the urgent need for innovative solutions.
In this inspiring talk, Steinmetz shares the stories behind the images, the challenges of documenting large-scale environmental change, and the remarkable efforts taking place worldwide to create a more sustainable future. His unique perspective transforms complex global issues into powerful visual experiences that are both thought-provoking and deeply human.
Take advantage of this event to plan a weekend in Siena and fully experience the exhibitions and events of the Siena Awards Festival.
Info
Location: Teatro dei Rinnovati |
Piazza del Campo, 1 – Siena
Date: 9 october 2026
Time: 5:30 pm
Photographer Biography: Best known for his aerial photography, George Steinmetz has a restless curiosity for the unknown: remote landscapes, our changing climate, and how we can meet the ever-expanding food needs of humanity. George has explored subjects ranging from the remotest stretches of Arabia’s Empty Quarter to the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest.
Since 1986, George has completed more than 40 major photo essays for National Geographic and 25 stories for GEO magazine in Germany. His expeditions to the Sahara and Gobi deserts have been featured in separate National Geographic Explorer programs.
Born in California in 1957, George graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Geophysics. He began his career in photography after hitchhiking through Africa for 28 months. He spent fifteen years exploring the world’s deserts, mainly while piloting a motorized paraglider.
His current projects are documenting climate change and the global food supply, primarily with professional drones. His long-term project “Feed the Planet” was exhibited in 2022 at the Horizons Zingst festival in Germany and Visa pour l’image in Perpignan, France (Global Fisheries). He is the author of five books, African Air, Empty Quarter, Desert Air, New York Air, and The Human Planet: Earth at the Dawn of the Anthropocene.
