One of the
luxuries we have in the modern world is being able to capture and document the
wonders of the earth. National Geographic is one of the largest organizations
that does just that. Although working for National Geographic could be a
dangerous career, I would probably die of happiness if I had the opportunity to
travel to unimaginable places and shoot stunning photography of world culture
and events. Not only do these scientists and adventurists bring these gorgeous
photographs to your televisions and print, but they also educate the public on
important issues outside of our comfortable potato-chip covered couches.
Mesa Arts
Center hosts the only National Geographic Live speaker series in Arizona, and
this season brings some extraordinary people.
Most
everyone loves going to the beach, but not everyone gets a chance to know what
it’s like diving down to the deepest parts of the ocean – Sylvia Earle,
oceanographer, aquanaut, and explorer, gives us a fresh look on what is going
on in the salty blues. Have you ever stayed in a pool or bathtub so long that
your fingers get wrinkly? Well imagine spending a total of over 7,000 hours
under the sea! Earle’s time in the water has given her the ability to shine
light on marine life preservation.
After you
dry off from your underwater adventure, pack your bags, because we’re going to
Africa with Emmy Award-winning wildlife cinematographer Bob Poole! In 2012 National
Geographic produced the film War
Elephants in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park where Bob Poole traveled
across the blazing desert of Mali to document the heart-wrenching moments of
elephants traumatized by years of civil war and poaching. Listen to his
experience of capturing these remarkable moments with these tender and
beautiful creatures.
One of the
greatest things about adventure is you never know what you’re going to
encounter along the way. Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, 2012 Explorer of the year and
Mountaineer is coming to Mesa Arts Center to share her experience as the first
woman to climb the world’s 8000-meter peaks WITHOUT oxygen! But with that as just
the appetizer –K2, located in Pakistan, was the main course. With 6 tries and
13 years, Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner was finally able to reach the peak of the
second-highest fatality rated mountain in the world - ‘The Savage Mountain.’
The greatest
thing about the Nat Geo Live series is the opportunity to relive these
fascinating stories through the people who tell them. Don’t miss out on these
exciting and life changing tales of adventure!
By Colette
Zaborniak
