Wednesday July 19, 2006, Hexi Corridor, Gansu, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

A strategic passageway of the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching over 1,600 kilometers between high mountain ranges, the Hexi Corridor suffers from dramatic desertification, forcing the displacement of entire populations. The region's fertile oases, fed by groundwater from the melting snow of the Tibetan Plateau, are in danger of being turned to sand by excess farming and overpumping of the aquifer.

A herder poses on parched earth during a dust storm in Wuwei Oasis, at the edge of the Tengger Desert. In the back, shelterbelts are planted to break winds that blow away the dry fertile soil. The wall of trees is also intended to halt encroaching dunes.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Saturday April 29, 2006, Sanggen Dalai, Inner Mongolia Province, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

The famous Xilingol steppe, 600 km north of Beijing, faces increasing desertification. The once-green land has been overgrazed by a booming number of livestock, becoming a major source of dust storms over northern Chinese cities, including Beijing, and reaching as far as Japan, Korea and North America.

Daily life during the dust storm season(January-May) in the town of Sanggen Dalai, that stands amid the Hunshandake Sandland. The rangelands in that arid expanse of the Xiligol steppe have nearly disappeared.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Tuesday April 25, 2006, Bayannur, Inner Mongolia Province, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

The wind moves the sand from giant dunes in the Bayannur region. Sand dunes may damage farms and rangelands in their surrounding areas, but their sand does not contribute to dust storms. Old desert sand is too heavy to be hurled into the sky. Dust storms are fuelled by recently desertified green land.

People rush away as a "yellow storm" enters the city.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

April 2006, Hanggin Houqi, Inner Mongolia Province, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

The wind moves the sand from giant dunes in the Bayannur region. Sand dunes may damage farms and rangelands in their surrounding areas, but their sand does not contribute to dust storms. Old desert sand is too heavy to be hurled into the sky. Dust storms are fuelled by recently desertified green land.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Sunday September 17, 2006, Jiayuguan, Gansu, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

A strategic passageway of the ancient Silk Road trade route, stretching over 1,600 km between high mountain ranges, the Hexi Corridor suffers from dramatic desertification, forcing displacement of populations. The region's fertile oases, fed by rivers and groundwater from the melting snow of the Tibetan Plateau, are in danger of being turned to sand by excess farming and overpumping of the aquifer.

Wearing scarves over her head and face to avoid the sandy wind, a mother sews in an improvised workshop on a sidewalk in Jiayuguan.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Wednesday April 19, 2006, Lanzhou, Gansu, China

Rural China struggles with effects of desertification

Lanzhou, capital of poor and arid Gansu Province and a stop along the ancient Silk Road, is one the most polluted cities on Earth. Located in a narrow valley surrounded by hills, the industrial city of 3 million is a basin accumulating smog. The government has reduced the use of coal, closed the worst factories and leveled a mountain to allow winds to sweep out the pollution. The improved air of the city however, is becoming more-and-more affected by dust storms.

Travellers sit in the hard-seat section of the train running from Lanzhou to the Hexi Corridor deserts and oases.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Sunday July 16, 2006, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Anti Globalization Demonstration

The Summit of the Americas held in Quebec was a round of negotiations for the Free Area of the Americas. The protests were some of the largest anti-globalization demonstrations yet and plunged the city into chaos for a few days. The response of the authority was aggressive and abusive use of tear gas and rubber bullets.

Police tear gas demonstrators.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Friday May 12, 2006, Tokyo, Japan

Umbrellas invade Tokyo during Japan's rainy season

Umbrellas are everywhere on the streets of Tokyo during Japan's rainy season.

Pedestrians with umbrellas on a Tokyo street.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Wednesday May 10, 2006, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market is the largest in the world

On any given day, Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market handles over 2,000 metric tons of product, making it the largest fish market in the world, with daily transactions totaling more than $23 million. Open every day except Sundays from 3:00 AM until 1:00 PM, more than 400 different types of seafood can be found at the market.

Overview of The Tsukiji Fish Market.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday May 11, 2006, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market is the largest in the world

On any given day, Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market handles over 2,000 metric tons of product, making it the largest fish market in the world, with daily transactions totaling more than $23 million. Open every day except Sundays from 3:00 AM until 1:00 PM, more than 400 different types of seafood can be found at the market.

Seafood sellers and vendor at a fish market.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday May 11, 2006, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market is the largest in the world

On any given day, Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market handles over 2,000 metric tons of product, making it the largest fish market in the world, with daily transactions totaling more than $23 million. Open every day except Sundays from 3:00 AM until 1:00 PM, more than 400 different types of seafood can be found at the market.

Fish at a market are prepared for shipping after their sale.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Wednesday May 10, 2006, Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market is the largest in the world

On any given day, Tokyo's Tsukiji fish market handles over 2,000 metric tons of product, making it the largest fish market in the world, with daily transactions totaling more than $23 million. Open every day except Sundays from 3:00 AM until 1:00 PM, more than 400 different types of seafood can be found at the market.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday April 10, 2006, Beijing, China

Daily life in Beijing

The bustling metropolis of Beijing - China's second largest city behind Shanghai - boasts a population of more than 15 million people. In China's capital city, the nation's booming economy is widely on display, in the form of advertisements for designer clothing and makeup as well as the vast array of fashions and products available to consumers.

A construction crane looms behind an outdoor barber.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday April 10, 2006, Beijing, China

Daily life in Beijing

The bustling metropolis of Beijing - China's second largest city behind Shanghai - boasts a population of more than 15 million people. In China's capital city, the nation's booming economy is widely on display, in the form of advertisements for designer clothing and makeup as well as the vast array of fashions and products available to consumers.

Store workers line up outside before their day begins.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Saturday April 8, 2006, Beijing, China

Daily life in Beijing

The bustling metropolis of Beijing - China's second largest city behind Shanghai - boasts a population of more than 15 million people. In China's capital city, the nation's booming economy is widely on display, in the form of advertisements for designer clothing and makeup as well as the vast array of fashions and products available to consumers.

A model displays a wedding dress in a wedding fashion show at an upscale bridal store.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Wednesday April 5, 2006, Beijing, China

Daily life in Beijing

The bustling metropolis of Beijing - China's second largest city behind Shanghai - boasts a population of more than 15 million people. In China's capital city, the nation's booming economy is widely on display, in the form of advertisements for designer clothing and makeup as well as the vast array of fashions and products available to consumers.

Chinese workers smoke cigarettes during a break.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

The Bay of Ungava at 11 p.m.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Inuit hunters ride snowmobiles over melting ice.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Inuit hunters unload a snowmoblie from a boat.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Inuit hunter, Aroya field dresses a dead seal.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Aroya aims his rifle during a hunt.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Inuit hunter, Noah pilots a boat.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Thursday March 23, 2006, Bay of Ungava, Quebec, Canada

Inuit hunters compete with global warming

Every spring for centuries, the Inuits have hunted for seals and geese in the Canadian northern territories. In recent years they have had to carry their snow mobiles and equipment by boat due to the earlier than usual melting of the ice they used to travel on by foot or snow mobile. This premature melting of the ice can most certainly be attributed to the global warming phenomenon.

Icebergs in the Bay of Ungava.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Student activities in Saskatchewan National Park.

Cooking while camping at Good Spirit Lake.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Daily life in Saskatchewan

Goose hunting in the prairies.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Daily life in Saskatchewan

The butcher of Theodore.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Daily life in Saskatchewan

Rural landscape in Theodore.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Daily life in Saskatchewan

Rural landscape in Theodore.

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Monday March 20, 2006, Theodore, Saskatchewan, Canada

Daily life in Saskatchewan

A couple from Theodore

Credit: Benoit Aquin / Polaris

Benoit Aquin

Always with an eye on humanitarian issues, Benoit Aquin has created important photographic essays on subjects such as the pesticide crimes of Nicaragua, the melting ice flows of the Canadian Great North and the drastic desertification of China.

For 12 years, from 1989 to 2001, Aquin worked as staff photographer for Montreal alternative news weeklies Voir and Hour, for which he shot countless cover portraits and covered the Montreal urban beat as a photo-reporter. From 2000 to 2004, he worked as staff photographer for Quebec's most widely distributed independent magazine, Recto Verso. He has published his photographs in many magazines including Macleans, Canadian Geographic, Time, Wired, L'Actualité, Recto Verso and En Route and has also been published in newspapers including The Globe & Mail and La Presse.

Aquin has exhibited in various galleries throughout Canada, including the Musée du Québec (Quebec City), the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography (Ottawa), Galerie Occurrence (Montreal), l'Écomusée du fier monde (Montréal), within the Mois de la photo (Montreal), and most recently, in the Habitation exhibition at Galerie Vu (Quebec City). His works are part of the permanent collections of both the Musée du Québec and the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography.

In 1996 Aquin was awarded the Grand Prix, the Prix du Jury and the Prix Le Soleil in the Regards du Québec competition. In 2001 he received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to develop his series of portraits of Montreal sex workers. In 2006, he was a finalist in the Lux competition and was recipient of a special mention.