All around us, we're seeing the effects of climate change. The land is ravaged by fires, storms, floods and other disasters that might make one think that the world is ending. People all around the world have to deal with the consequences of climate change and it's terrifying to think about what might come next. Scientists and global activists have warned about the aftereffects of people's tremendous consumerism, but are their words being heard? If not words, maybe images can provoke us to think about our planet and inspire us to change.
The Environmental Photographer of the Year (EPOTY) competition showcases the most inspirational environmental photography from around the world. This year the winners of the 14th competition were revealed at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. "The award celebrates humanity’s ability to survive and innovate and showcases thought-provoking images that call attention to our impact and inspire us to live sustainably."
The title of Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 was given to Spanish photographer Antonio Argon Renuncio for his photo titled "The Rising Tide Sons", which depicts a child sleeping inside a house that has been destroyed by coastal erosion of Afiadenyigba beach in Ghana.
We present you the powerful winning photos from the competition, with descriptions by the photographers.
#21 Dry Fish Harvesting, Ashraful Islam, 2020
"Dry fish terraces cover vast areas of the Sirajganj district. Dry fish production is the primary source of employment for many rural families near the Chalan Beel, which is under threat due to anthropogenic environmental impacts."
Location: Sirajganj, Bangladesh
Camera: DJI Mavic Mini
Report
23points
#22 Clean Energy, Pedro De Oliveira Simões Esteves, 2021
"Wind turbines on the mountaintops are captured moments before sunset on a cloudy day."
Location: Serra de São Macário - Portugal
Camera: Canon EOS R
Report
22points
#23 Surya, Elena Pakhalyuk, 2020
"The Valley of the Mud Volcanoes is at risk due to climate change and human activity."
Location: Crimean Peninsula
Camera: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Report
21points
#24 Risky Journey, Ziaul Huque, 2019
"A boy with plastic items to sell to a local factory in Chittagong. Children risk dangerous conditions collecting plastic, metal and other dumped waste to earn a living."
Location: Chittagong, Bangladesh
Camera: SONY ILCE-7RM3
Report
21points
#25 Umka 2021 Expedition, Grigorov Gavriil, 2021
"Researchers weigh an anesthetized Polar bear on Franz Joseph Land in the Arctic Ocean. The expedition, organized by the Russian Geographical Society, aims to monitor the local polar bear population and assess the impact of climate change."
Location: Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia
Camera: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
Report
20points
#26 Raw Salt Production, Nnguyen Linh Vinh Quoc, 2020
"Salt farmers in the Dam Vua salt field begin their day early raking salt into piles before the sun gets high. The salt particles are crystallized after the seawater in the field evaporates."
Location: Nha Trang, Vietnam
Report
19points
