( CNN ) -- Artist Rachel Sussman spent the past decade documenting the world 's oldest living things . Working with biologists , she has traveled to deserts and islands , from the Australian Outback to Antarctica , to photograph organisms that are 2,000 years old or older . She has given a TED talk about her project . Her new book of photographs and essays , `` The Oldest Living Things in the World , '' came out on Earth Day , April 22 . Follow her on Twitter : @ OLTW . CNN asked Sussman about her work in an e-mail interview . How did you get involved with this project ? Before I got the idea for `` The Oldest Living Things , '' I was searching for something I could really sink my teeth into . That search was both an intellectual one -- pondering ideas about combining art with science and philosophical concepts like deep time -- as well as a literal one . A visit to Japan in 2004 resulted in a surprising and eye-opening adventure to a supposedly 7,000-year-old tree , which ended up being the ultimate catalyst that brought all these different threads together . Environmentalism also plays a vital role in my work . The ancient survivors I 've photographed have weathered thousands of years in some of the harshest environments on Earth , but are now threatened by the climate crisis . Of all the oldest living things that you came across , what moved you the most ? It 's hard for me to choose , but I was particularly moved by some of the most diminutive organisms . We expect to be awed by the grandeur of Giant Sequoias , and they are indeed moving . But it was the little beings -- the ones that you 'd have no idea are old at all -- that I found to be the most compelling . Examples of this include the map lichens in Greenland that grow only 1 centimeter every 100 years , and the spruce tree on the cover of the book , which , despite its spindly appearance , has been growing clonally for 9,950 years . If there 's one place in the world that one must see before one dies , where would it be ? This is a tough question , as I think we should weigh the environmental impact of our travels against the potential for cultural and personal enrichment . Developing clean energy sources to get us to places should be a global priority . What that in mind , some of my travel experiences -- like visiting South Georgia Island in the Antarctic Convergence -- felt more like traveling back in time than visiting a remote location . It is stunning , and I 'd love everyone to be able to see through that window back into deep time . However , some of the last pristine locations on Earth have only remained so because of lack of human contact . I urge everyone to travel responsibly , and remember the Girl Scout motto to always leave a place in better shape than when you found it ! What are a few things that one can start doing today to become more environmentally conscious ? My suggestion is to get involved with Al Gore 's fantastic organization , the Climate Reality Project . Whether you spread some truth to the naysayers about climate change , reflect on the things you love that are made possible by a healthy climate , or choose to apply to become a member of the Climate Realty Leadership Corps , Climate Reality is building community and momentum around the global fight against the climate crisis . Who inspires you ? In no particular order some of my favorite people are : David Foster Wallace , Werner Herzog , David Lynch , Ernest Shackleton , the women of art and science that history overlooked or forgot , risk-takers , climate crusaders , makers of eye-opening art , boundary breakers , fighters of injustices , and anyone forging a connection where one did n't previously exist . I believe everyone should follow and cultivate their curiosity -- because you never know where it will lead you . There is so much to see , know and do in the world , and I hope that we can all get out there -- in our own ways -- and do some good .
Artist Rachel Sussman 's book , `` The Oldest Living Things , '' comes out on Earth Day . Sussman : When I visited Japan I saw a very old tree that inspired my project . She says environment is important , and urges all of us to fight climate change .