Press 2021 – The Environmental Photographer of the Year

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 Winners revealed at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)

CIWEM and Waterbear have announced the Environmental Photographer Of The Year 2021 competition’s winners at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) alongside Nikon Europe and Arup.

Spanish photographer Antonio Aragón Renuncio has won the top prize of Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 for his photo titled “The rising tide sons”, which shows a child sleeping inside his house destroyed by coastal erosion on Afiadenyigba beach in Ghana. The photo shines a spotlight on the rising sea-levels in West-African countries, which has forced thousands of people to leave their homes.

The Young Environmental Photographer of the Year was awarded to Amaan Ali from India, for his work titled “Inferno” showing a boy fighting surface fires in a forest near his home in Yamuna Ghat, New Delhi, India. Additional winners were recognised in 5 categories:

Environments of the Future: Flood, Michele Lapini, 2020
Sustainable Cities: Net-Zero transition – Photobioreactor, Simone Tramonte, 2020
Climate Action: The Last breath, Kevin Ochieng Onyango, 2021
Water and Security: Green barrier, Sandipani Chattopadhyay, 2021
The Resilient Award: Survive for alive, Ashraful Islam, 2021

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open to the public via social media. To vote please visit The Environmental Photographer of the Year on Instagram and vote before 1st December 2021.

EPOTY 2021 received over 7000 images from over 120 nations that tell the stories of the climate and ecological emergency and the people rising to the challenge such as:

– The Umka 2021 expedition studying the impact of climate change on local polar bear populations in Franz Joseph Land in the Arctic Ocean

– Climate change effects on typhoon season increasing frequency and severity of droughts in Tainan, Taiwan

– Shorter winters in the Austrain alps making artificial snow now the only way to start the winter ski season

– Forest fires in Yamuna Ghatm, India and the compounded impacts of COVID-19 on the population

– The floating gardens of Bangladesh; locals returning to ancient methods of hydroponics to grow crops and adapt to loss of arable land related to flooding and saltwater intrusion

Introducing this year's panel of award-winning judges

Click here for full bios

Now in its 14th year, The Environmental Photographer of the Year competition showcases the most inspirational environmental photography from around the world. 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.

As part of the Road to the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) and United Nations Climate Change Conference, the Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 provides an international platform to raise awareness for the environmental issues that put our planet at risk. Entries closed on 31 July 2021 and winners were announced at COP26.

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is a Royal Chartered independent professional body and a registered charity in the United Kingdom working internationally to advance the practice of water and environmental management. CIWEM represents a community of 30,000 professionals with a shared vision for a safe and sustainable world. For more information, visit www.ciwem.org.

WaterBear is the first network of its kind: a free interactive video and digital platform dedicated to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It does this through inspirational content, cutting-edge technology that facilitates action, and through its global network of partners. It uniquely empowers the viewer to take direct instant action to support NGOs around the world and shape a better future for our fragile planet. Download WaterBear from the app store or head to: https://waterbear.com

Nikon is a world-leading provider of imaging products and services. Its innovative optics technology – from consumer to professional cameras, lenses to system accessories – is powered by over 100 years of experience. Nikon is committed to leading imaging culture and enables some of the world’s best visual artists to reach their creative potential through storytelling. Its award-winning equipment empowers photographers and videographers to realise their creative vision at the highest level. As a trusted visionary partner, Nikon unites all levels of content creators through its engaged community, unrivalled technical expertise and access to educational resources, via initiatives such as The Nikon School. For more information visit www.europe-nikon.com

Exhibition Partners:

03-11 Nov | New York Times Climate Hub exhibition | Glasgow

09-10 Nov | Floodex Exhibition | Excel Centre | London

Press and Media

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 Winners revealed at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)

NIKON joins CIWEM & WaterBear to launch Environmental Photographer of the year competition | 31-03-2021

CIWEM and WaterBear present The Environmental Photographer of the Year 2021 | 31-03-2021

NIKON Environmental Photographer of the Year competition page

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