Scared Scientists

in partnership with the Climate Council

Climate change had dangerously become a buzzword tossed around by media, corporations, and politicians in talk of carbon offsets, emissions trading, and rising temperatures. The words were losing weight, the urgency was fading. So we decided to show what it really looks like to understand the science and the fear.

Scared Scientists is a photographic series we shot with Nick Bowers, capturing the faces of those who grasp the gravity of climate change best: the scientists themselves.

Created well before the wave of youth activism, celebrity advocacy, or even scientists taking to non-traditional platforms, our emotional approach sparked significant debate and landed features on global news outlets from Iceland to the US.

Black and white portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and short hair, looking to the left against a dark background.
A quote in black text on a white background that reads 'Nobody is safe' for Scared Scientists x Climate Council proactive campaign and photographic exhibition.
Black and white portrait of a bald man with light stubble, looking slightly to the side, against a plain background for Scared Scientists x Climate Council proactive campaign and photographic exhibition.
A grid of six black-and-white portraits of people, three in the top row and three in the bottom row, with the title 'Scared Scientists' and a subtitle about climate change.
Black and white portrait of a middle-aged woman with dark, wavy hair, wearing a light-colored shirt and dark sweater, looking slightly to the side for Scared Scientists x Climate Council proactive campaign and photo exhibition.
A black and white portrait of an older man with a beard, looking to the side, against a dark background for Scared Scientists x Climate Council proactive campaign and photo exhibition.
Black and white portrait of a young man with curly hair, wearing a collared shirt and a dark sweater, against a plain dark background.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark hair, wearing earrings and a floral patterned blouse, looking directly at the camera against a dark background for Scared Scientists x Climate Council proactive campaign and photo exhibition.
Black and white portrait of a bald man looking slightly to the right with a serious expression, wearing a dark shirt.
Black and white portrait of a woman with dark, curly hair, wearing a dark top and a necklace, against a plain background.
Logo of 'The Atlantic' publication with stylized text.
The word "TAXI" in black, outlined letters on a white background.
The logo of The Huffington Post
The image is an empty white canvas or background with no objects or features.
Text reading 'RHEINISCHE POST' in black letters on a white background
The word 'CARGO' with a lightning bolt symbol next to it.
A black square with no visible objects or details.
Text in a distressed font reading 'LOST AT EMINOR'