The SOS Project is a visual outcry from nature. As the climate crisis accelerates and our landscapes are eroded by human impact, this project represents nature's desperate plea for help. Using light to "draw" the universal distress signal (SOS) across iconic landscapes, these images are a stark reminder of the urgency we face. Each photograph captures the beauty of the world we are losing—and the call to save it before it's too late.
The SOS Project 1 - Mer de Glace
The first photo in the SOS series is a visual plea from the heart of the Alps. This image of the Mer de Glace glacier, illuminated with the universal distress signal, symbolizes the urgent need to act against the climate crisis. As glaciers vanish and landscapes transform, this photo serves as both a warning and a call to protect what remains.
We need a Fossil Fuel Treaty
The climate crisis is driven by burning fossil fuels, and glaciers like the Mer de Glace are disappearing as a result. The Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal would complement the Paris Agreement by tackling the root cause of the climate crisis; the relentless extraction of fossil fuels, as well as the lack of equity in decision-making and support for the nations most impacted yet least responsible. A Fossil Fuel Treaty would end new coal, oil, and gas projects while ensuring a fair transition to sustainable energy. It’s time for bold, binding action.
The Backstory
The Mer de Glace is the most famous glacier in Europe, but it is in a death spiral—disappearing before our eyes. This is catastrophic for the alpine region and for all the people who rely on the glacier to provide a stable water supply during the summer months. This same phenomenon is occurring across the globe, from the Alps to the Himalayas.
We are people who love being in these wild mountains, but it is heartbreaking to see them crumble before us. Imagining the consequences for the people in these regions is even more devastating. So many livelihoods depend on the stability of glaciers in these high mountain areas.
This project emerged after Moonlight supported our previous photo project, Light Lines. Here we used Moonlight headlamps to ski iconic Norwegian mountains at night, sending a political message about the increasing loss of Norwegian nature to development. Moonlight was interested in collaborating on a similar project, this time in the Alps.
We decided to create something even more ambitious than Light Lines, involving a large team of 15 people on the glacier. The concept was to "draw" an SOS signal with the headlamps, stretching the length of the Mer de Glace.
Why are we supporting the Fossil Fuel Treaty with this photo?
The Mer de Glace, like glaciers worldwide, is melting at an alarming rate because we continue burning fossil fuels at unsustainable levels. Why do we persist in such harmful practices? The main reason is the political power and social influence of the fossil fuel industry. Over decades, this industry has lobbied, advertised, and lied, significantly slowing down climate action.
At the recent COP29 climate conference, there were over 1,700 fossil fuel lobbyists—at a venue that should be solving the climate crisis. As long as lobbyists hold sway, meaningful change is unlikely. That’s why we need a global, legally binding Fossil Fuel Treaty. This treaty would create a framework to end the expansion of coal, oil, and gas projects, while managing and financing a fast, fair transition away from fossil fuels. It would align with science and ensure no one is left behind.
Through the S.O.S Project, we aim to educate and inspire the outdoor community while providing concrete ways to take action. This first photo focuses on the Fossil Fuel Treaty because we believe it’s a cause the outdoor community can rally behind. If you feel inspired to take action, you can endorse the treaty as an individual by clicking the button above or by visiting the Fossil Fuel Treaty´s website.
If you’re an athlete or brand in the industry, please get in touch with us. Together, we can discuss how you can use your platform to spread the message.