{"id":1193,"date":"2020-07-15T15:41:27","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T14:41:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniofglos.blog\/alumni\/?post_type=project&p=1193"},"modified":"2024-04-11T11:06:59","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T11:06:59","slug":"leaving-less-of-a-footprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.glos.ac.uk\/alumni\/2020\/07\/15\/leaving-less-of-a-footprint\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaving less of a footprint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tolga Aktas, Biologist, Writer and Environmental Photojournalist, has just finished his degree at the University of Gloucestershire. Here, he explores sustainable approaches in the working world in his own words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I first looked at studying at the University of Gloucestershire\u2019s website profile for my BSc in Animal Biology<\/a> degree back in 2016, I had no idea how many career paths you could take after graduating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve since learnt there are actually loads! From Biologist to Ecologist; Wildlife Journalist; Laboratory Technician; Conservation Biologist; Wildlife Manager; Teaching\/Research and becoming an Ecological Consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mentioning of the wildlife journalist career choice caught my attention the most though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been a freelance environmental photojournalist since 2014 through\u00a0Ways of the Natural World<\/a>, and it has been the best experiences of my life. Having the opportunity to travel the world and document current wildlife conservation, environmental and humanitarian related issues is not only fulfilling, but you obtain an invaluable sense of belonging and satisfaction knowing that you are contributing to something much bigger than yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to think about sustainability in this career field though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most aspiring photographers, journalists and filmmakers endeavour to create engaging content that will potentially reach global audiences, however, sometimes obtaining that means extensively travelling all over the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big issue is that this can be quite costly \u2013 for you and for the planet!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It must not be mistaken that environmental journalism, wildlife filmmaking, documentary photography., etc has huge benefits towards creating awareness of the many threats that the planet faces, but supporting local economies, protecting wildlife and wild spaces has to be thought about thoroughly before doing any environmental journalism\/wildlife filmmaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in regards to what I think the environmental creative community should be doing for sustainability, perhaps future professionals could\/should focus on these top tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n