Yann Arthus-Bertrand Quotes

Powerful Yann Arthus-Bertrand for Daily Growth

About Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Yann Arthus-Bertrand, born on January 13, 1946, in Pau, France, is a renowned French photographer, environmentalist, and humanitarian. His journey into the realm of photography began at an early age, as he spent hours developing photographs in his father's photo lab. This passion for capturing images led him to study photography at GOBELIN School in Paris. Arthus-Bertrand's career took off when he founded Altitude Agency, a pioneering aerial photography company. His work gained international recognition in 1987 with the publication of his first book, "Yann Arthus-Bertrand Photographies," which showcased his striking images of France from above. However, it was his monumental project, "The Earth from Above," that truly cemented his status as a global figure. Spanning over six years (1996-2003), Arthus-Bertrand captured breathtaking, high-resolution images of the Earth's landscapes and human settlements from aerial viewpoints. The project culminated in the publication of the book "The Earth from Above" and an IMAX film, both released in 2005. Arthus-Bertrand's work is deeply influenced by his concern for the environment and his desire to raise awareness about the impact of human activities on our planet. He has been a relentless advocate for environmental causes, using his photography as a powerful tool for change. In 2006, he founded GoodPlanet Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. His dedication to the environment has earned him numerous awards, including the Grand Vermeil of the City of Paris in 2018. Yann Arthus-Bertrand continues to push the boundaries of aerial photography, using his work to spark conversations about our planet's future and inspire change for a more sustainable world.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Earth from the air is the most beautiful book I've ever read."

This quote highlights the profound beauty that our planet, Earth, holds when viewed from above. It suggests that the intricate patterns, colors, shapes, and geographical features we see on a map or satellite imagery are like pages in a book, but this particular "book" is not written with ink, but rather created by nature itself over billions of years. In essence, Yann Arthus-Bertrand is conveying the idea that observing Earth from the air offers a unique perspective that transcends the ordinary and reveals an aesthetic masterpiece - a natural symphony that underscores the delicate balance and interconnectedness between human civilization and the environment.


"The planet does not belong to us. We belong to the planet."

This quote emphasizes our fundamental interconnectedness with Earth, suggesting that we are not its owners but rather its stewards or inhabitants. It encourages a perspective that values sustainability, ecological balance, and responsible use of resources over exploitation and waste. Essentially, it underscores the idea that humanity's survival depends on the planet's wellbeing, so we must act accordingly to protect and preserve it for future generations.


"Photography is a powerful medium that can inspire changes in people and their attitudes towards nature and our place within it."

This quote emphasizes the impact of photography as a tool for influencing human perspectives and behaviors, particularly concerning nature and our role within it. By capturing and sharing striking visuals of our planet, photographers can ignite emotions, provoke thought, and ultimately inspire people to appreciate nature's beauty, understand its fragility, and foster a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation. Thus, photography serves as a potent catalyst for positive change.


"When we look down at the Earth from the sky, we are reminded of how fragile and beautiful this planet is, and we must strive to protect it."

This quote by Yann Arthus-Bertrand highlights our responsibility towards the Earth. Viewing the planet from a bird's eye perspective serves as a humbling reminder of its fragility and beauty. It emphasizes that, due to this understanding, we must take action to preserve and protect our home - Earth. The quote calls upon individuals and societies to recognize the delicate balance of our environment and prioritize sustainable practices for future generations.


"The Earth is not a possession to be squandered but a heritage to cherish and preserve for future generations."

This quote highlights the importance of environmental preservation for future generations. It suggests that the Earth is not merely a resource to exploit, but rather a valuable legacy to be cared for and protected. The message emphasizes the intergenerational responsibility we have towards the planet, encouraging us to consider not just our own needs, but also those of future generations.


The fact is that seven per cent of the global population emits 50 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, and the proportions are the same for the use of energy and raw materials, meat, wood, etc. Simply put, an infinitesimal minority consumes the most and imposes damage on the overwhelming majority, while asking it to change.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Fact, Damage, Raw Materials, Materials

The whole world is determined by trade - which is really the blood of the world. The driving force is everyone's desire to have a better life. How? By consuming. For countries, the 'Holy Grail' is economic growth.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Desire, Holy, Which, Better Life

An image of the Earth, its landscapes, directly affects people. The beauty of the Earth creates enormous emotion, and through that emotion, you can transmit knowledge and raise consciousness.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Through, Image, Landscapes, Directly

For me, an aerial picture is no different than a close-up portrait. It's a question of framing and angle. Helicopters are great for that. But I've also used planes. Of course, I always have a harness.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Question, Always, Framing, Helicopters

I learned to be a hot-air balloon pilot to take tourists over the Masai Mara Reserve in order to earn some money and finance the work I was doing with my wife, Anne. We were studying the life of a family of lions for more than two years. Taking pictures was a way to capture information we could not put in words.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Doing, Some, Anne, Reserve

After Hurricane Katrina, over New Orleans, my helicopter crashed and the pilot and I were only saved because we fell on the roof of a flooded house that absorbed the shock. When the helicopter was spiraling downward out of control, I didn't expect to survive at all.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Saved, Downward, Flooded, Absorb

There is something very utopian about what I do. But utopia is nothing more than a truth that the world is not yet ready to hear.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

More, Utopia, Very, Utopian

The Rio Earth Summit in 1992 changed my life completely, turning me into an activist. From the air, you see things you can't see from the ground - you really understand the impact of man, even in a place you know well. My work is meant to convince people we can no longer live like this.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

My Life, Summit, Air, Rio

No one is an environmentalist by birth. It is only your path, your life, your travels that awaken you.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Path, Environmental, Travels, Environmentalist

One fifth of human kind depend on fish to live. Today now 70 percent of the fish stock are over-exploited. According to FAO if we don't change our system of fishing the main sea resources will be gone in 2050. We don't want to believe what we know.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Depend, According, Main, Stock

Our children think our world will end. It's a tragic thing. Adults don't think that. They don't see that we are eating the planet. But we are. If you take all the biomass of vertebrates on the planet, 98% are men and their domestic animals. All the wild animals in the world make up only 2%.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

See, Domestic, Our, Tragic

For nearly two years, I was flying above the planet with my camera. I knew straight away that this was something important to do, just at this moment, a portrait of the planet for the millennium year. I worked in 80 countries, fighting for money all the time.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Year, Away, Nearly, Portrait

I wanted to be a scientist. I did a thesis on lions. But I realised photography can show things writing can't. Lions were my professor of photography.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Show, Scientist, Realised, Thesis

I always take hundreds and hundreds of pictures. I used to work for 'National Geographic,' and they gave us a lot of film.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Work, Always, Used, Hundreds

The lions taught me photography. They taught me patience and the sense of beauty, a beauty that penetrates you.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Beauty, Me, Taught, Lions

The West has become the world model; developing countries are dreaming of living like us, which is impossible. They should reject our model, because it is not sustainable. Developing countries should even give us the example, but unfortunately that's not what happens.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Impossible, Sustainable, Unfortunately

The key of 'The Earth from Above,' and of 'Home' is to show the beauty of the planet, and thereby to promote love for it.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Love, Beauty, Promote, Thereby

To have success in your professional life is not so hard. To succeed as a man is more difficult.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Success, Professional Life, Professional

I'm not an expert when it comes to technology, but what changed things for me was autofocus. I used to have to throw away half my pictures because it was so difficult to get the focus right.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Difficult, Away, Half, Expert

I never lose an opportunity to speak about my obsession: humankind and the environment.

- Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Lose, Environment, Never, Obsession

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