In the Spring of 2022, the Berlin-based, cross-border newsroom Unbias the News began the Sinking Cities Project. The goal of the project was to investigate the fast approaching effects of sea level rise caused by climate change on major cities. Six journalists were selected from six cities—Alexandria, Dhaka, Dublin, Karachi, Lagos and Rotterdam— the goal being to “investigate the preparedness in their cities and looked to expose not only failures but also possible innovations and solutions.”
In the Summer, I was brought onboard as the visual lead for the project. I was in charge of conceptualizing and creating illustrations for all six articles, as well as the promotional banner, shown above. I created a unique, stylized wave as a link between the illustrations, to highlight the universality of sea level rise, while simultaneously focusing on each city's particular relation with the consequences of global rising waters.
In October 2023, the project won the 2023 Climate Journalism Award in the category Emerging Talent.
Alexandria: Layers of History, Levels of Threat
Karachi: Fighting an Unfolding Climate Apocalypse
Rotterdam: A Bastion Against Rising Sea, For Now
Dublin: Clash of Priorities
Dhaka: A Refuge That Needs to be Rescued
Lagos: Profits Over Preparation