10,000 photos were entered in a U.K.-based photography contest. A panel of judges called these the best.
The socially-minded international competition was launched in 2007 by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, a major British charitable organization, to highlight global issues through the lens of beautiful and sometimes tragic subjects.
This year’s winners were selected for five categories. Sixty submissions that highlight the most pressing social-environmental issues will be on display at the Royal Geographic Society in London from July to August.
Environmental Photographer Of The Year
Sara Lindström — ‘Wildfire’
Lindström’s shot captures the immensity of devastation caused by an Alberta wildfire.
Young Environmental Photographer Of The Year
Luke Massey — ‘Poser’
After complete eradication from Illinois in the 1960s, the peregrine falcon was reintroduced in the 80s. Massey’s candid shot of an adult along a condominium balcony captures the striking visage of one of 44 known Chicago falcons.
Built Environment Award
SL Kumar Shanth — ‘Losing Ground to Manmade Disaster’
Kumar’s remarkable image of a Chennai home being battered by the Bay of Bengal highlights the growing issue of rapid population growth in underdeveloped cities.
Changing Climate Award
Sandra Hoyn — ‘Jackets on the Greek Island of Lesbos’
Hoyn, a German photojournalist, calls attention to the growing water crisis throughout the world through this image of refugees’ discarded life vests along a Greek Island. Residents flee countries currently experiencing struggles with basic needs, such as drinking water, as the effects of climate change and political issues begin to manifest.
People, Nature and Economy Award
Pedram Yazdani — ‘Sand’
Due to manmade dams and climate change, the Salt Lake Urmia, the largest salt lake in the Middle East, now contains only 10 percent of its original volume.
Honorable Mentions On Display
