Documenting Climate Change in Nigeria through Photography: An Interview with Bukunmi Oyewole

Bukunmi Oyewole is a Nigerian-based photographer who uses his art to bring attention to climate change issues. According to his own words, he uses his art as a tool for promoting social change and development.

-Through my photography, I want to create awareness and engagement with the public about the impacts of climate change. I also use my art for cultural appreciation and to broaden people's perspectives about cultures from around the world, he says.

Image: Bukunmi Oyewole

Live and Let Live

In early April, Safer Climate organized a transdisciplinary seminar titled ‘Climate & Death 2024’ in Helsinki, Finland. The seminar was organized in collaboration with Tunne ry, Artists with Evidence and the Finnish Death Studies Association and it invited submission from researchers, civil society associations and artists alike. While the seminar was mainly an in-person event, we included some online talks from different countries.

Bukunmi’s work was showcased digitally in the event and you can see some of images of the ‘Live and Let Live’ exhibition accompanying this article. The topic of climate and death touches upon many aspects of mortality, grief and loss from human, environmental and multispecies perspectives . Some of the approaches presented in the seminar included natural scientific climate research, philosophy, religious studies, visual arts, participatory workshops and embodied work.

What was it that interested Bukunmi in the theme climate and death, and how does he see his work as a photographer relating to it?

Bukunmi starts off by explaining that the image series, which he titled "Live and Let Live", sheds light on deforestration in Nigeria.

- Deforestation poses a threat to climate stability in Nigeria, and Africa in general. Forests not only have an enormous impact on climate change, but they also influence it. They influence the local and global climates. Forests take in atmospheric carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the air, which is what we breathe in. They act as important buffers that lessen the effect of ongoing climate change. In Africa, forests are experiencing the highest rates of depletion and degradation and I basically want the public to pay close attention and concern to the issue of deforestation as it is quickly turning into a serious problem. I believe that through my images, I can raise awareness and spark important conversations about the impacts of deforestation and the urgent need for solutions.

The images visually illustrate the seminar's discussions about changing harmful systems that damage the environment. We should begin to care about our forests and the life within them. Not just forests but our planet as a whole.

- The image series aligns with the seminar's discussions holistically. I realized that many people are working on the same climate related topics but using different approaches. We're passing the same message across to people out there. In the end, we want everyone to understand how deforestation connects to climate change and its impact on people and the environment. The images visually illustrate the seminar's discussions about changing harmful systems that damage the environment. We should begin to care about our forests and the life within them. Not just forests but our planet as a whole, Bukunmi states.

Image: Bukunmi Oyewole

Creating Change One Image at a Time

- Yes, a photograph can make lot of difference, Bukunmi says, especially if it’s used correctly and seen by the right audience. It can be used to inform and to educate; photography can be used to bring about social change and development.

- You asked if a photograph can change a person. My answer is yes, a photograph can change a person. Basically, we humans need to be more deliberate about every activity carried out in our environment. I also really think we should begin to educate the upcoming generation about the impact of climate change on the environment. I feel that climate related topics should be included in the young folks school curriculum in order to catch them young, and to capture their minds in ways that will make them work towards making our climate safer.

Bukunmi is currently putting finishing touches on his recent project that revolves around how illegal mining activities affect the environment in Nigeria. Some of his works can be found here.

Image: Bukunmi Oyewole