Dryness by Chinmoy Biswas, 2018, Environmental Photographer of the Year.

The Chartered Institution for Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Environmental Photographer of the Year awards, setup up in 2007, has now launched the annual competition for 2019. In partnership with AFTER NYNE, Olympus, UN Environment, CIWEM, and ARUP, the Environmental Photographer of the Year gallery was on display at the After Nyne Gallery, 10 Portland Road, London. We went along to have a look at last years entries. 

The After Nyne Gallery, was used to display photographs from the 2018 entries, including the winning photograph from Saeed Mohammadzadeh, Iran, for his picture of a boat on a dried up lake (see below). 

Entries are now open for 2019, with entries being accepted up until 16:00 BST Sunday 30 June 2019. The main competition categories, and prizes are:

• Environmental Photographer of the Year
• Climate Action and Energy Prize
• Changing Environments Prize
• Sustainable Cities Prize
• Water, Equality and Security Prize
• Young Environmental Photographer of the Year

Judges of previous years include Stephen Fry (Comedian, 2017), Ben Fogle (Broadcaster, 2017), and Georgina Pavelin (Olympus, 2018). CIWEM say they can get anywhere between 5000 and 10,000 entries.

You can view the winners of the 2018 competition here.

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Timing wise, the gallery exhibition opened, and at the same time, there have been several days of protests in London specifically about the environment, these photos, taken by Mark Thackara, captured the closing off of Waterloo Bridge, in London. 

Waterloo Bridge Protests 18/04/2019 - Photos Mark Thackara

From CIWEM: Inspiring action, triggering debate and improving understanding: The Environmental Photographer of the Year 2019 is open for entries!

The very best showcase for environmental photography from around the world is open for entries.

The Environmental Photographer of the Year 2019 is looking for engaging, beautiful and skilful photographs which will inspire individuals and corporations around the world to take serious action towards being more sustainable and lowering their impact on the environment.

This year the entry categories directly support the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in the hope that the powerful and emotive photographs will act as an instrument of change against poverty, inequality and environmental degradation.

The competition welcomes entries from all over the world. It is free to enter, and each photographer can enter up to 10 photographs. The competition is open from 01 April until 30 June 2019.

The categories for this year’s competition are as follows.

Environmental Photographer of the Year 2019

Celebrating powerful storytelling, the Environmental Photographer of the Year is awarded to a single image which triggers debate, inspires action and improves understanding of the causes, impacts and solutions to environmental change and social inequality.

Young Environmental Photographer of the Year 2019 (under 21)

This category showcases the best in environmental photography through the lens of young photographers aged 21 or under, inspiring people around the world to protect and conserve our natural environment.

Changing Environments Prize

Chronicling environmental change and the resilience of the individuals and communities facing adversity including extreme weather events, environmental destruction, energy security and conservation of our natural resources.

Sustainable Cities Prize

Focusing on our built environments and the communities and animals that inhabit them, including environmental solutions from design, materials and structures, smart and resilient cities, transport, waste and the connections between nature, society and infrastructure in our urban environments.

Climate Action and Energy Prize

Revealing human connection to the natural world and our actions to preserve it, this category explores sustainable environmental and economic development, the natural and social value of the environment, affordable clean energy and innovative adaption and mitigation approaches to environmental change.

Water, Equality and Security Prize

Examining the intricate relationships between access to clean water and sanitation, gender equality and security this category explores our ever-increasing demand for water and the role of gender equality in every aspect of water management from water scarcity to flooding.

This year the competition is proudly supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, Arup and Olympus.

Dr. Leila Urekenova, Programme Analyst, UN Environment Europe Office said,

“UN Environment is excited to see the 2019 edition of CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year Award, which will focus on Sustainable Development Goals. We believe that it is crucial to show the global community how climate action, poverty eradication, and innovative solutions to sustainable economic growth at every level can contribute to stability and peace across the globe.“

Dr. Mark Fletcher, Global Water Business Leader at Arup said,

“One photograph can convey so many powerful and important messages. At Arup, we are deeply passionate about creating a sustainable future for the world we live in. Supporting the Environmental Photographer of the Year competition is a very symbolic and fitting way for us to demonstrate this commitment, and we look forward to seeing this year’s entries.”

Georgina Pavellin, Marketing Manager at Olympus said,

“Olympus are proud to support Environmental Photographer of the Year, capturing moments and documenting change is vital to our lives and we hope that photographers are able to utilise this platform to not only demonstrate their talents but also help to raise awareness of current issues to evoke change. The works submitted are fantastic and demonstrate a high level of photographic ability whilst story telling. we would like to congratulate all involved in the competition and look forward to the exhibition.”

With a diverse range of categories to enter and an international audience, this competition provides photographers of all skill levels with the opportunity to show their work to the world. Enter today #InspireAction #EPOTY19

“End Floating” by Saeed Mohammadzadeh, Iran, winner of Environmental Photographer of the Year Prize 2018. "The photo shows a ship sitting in salt in the Urmia Lake in Iran. Climate change is intensifying the droughts that speed up evaporation in the region. The lake has also been suffering from illegal wells and a proliferation of dams and irrigation projects causing it to reduce significantly in volume. Noxious, salt-tinged dust storms inflame the eyes, skin, and lungs of residents in surrounding areas. The drying up of the river, is destroying local habitats, due to the extreme salinity levels of 340 grams per litre, which is over eight times saltier than ocean water."