Picture: Gregor Sailer

Written by Eva Rothenberg, CNN

The Arctic invites images of emptiness. Harsh temperatures lead to barren, sparsely populated landscapes beyond the reach of most travelers. This inaccessibility is what first drew Austrian photographer Gregor Sailer to the region.

“I like this raw atmosphere and this exciting light, where everything is exposed,” he said in a video interview, explaining that the Arctic has “always fascinated” him. “On one hand, the wilderness wants to kill you, and, on the other hand, life is possible and goes on. There are things happening in these remote places that impact us all, and it’s important for people to understand these developments.”

Read more via edition.cnn.com