This Competition is now closed - Please view the winning photos here

The Climate is changing.... are you?  A Photographic Competition on Climate Change

Friends of the Earth Malta is launching an international photographic exhibition and competition on the effects of climate change. The theme is:

Climate Change: the change is already here

A maximum of 20 photos will be featured in the exhibition, which will move around three locations in the Maltese Islands. The exhibition is part of an awareness raising campaign which FoE Malta is participating in together with sixteen FoE groups across Europe.

This is the Big Ask campaign. European groups of Friends of the Earth are calling on their governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Europe.

What kind of photos are we looking for?
Friends of the Earth Malta wants to illustrate the effects of climate change already influencing natural processes on our planet, affecting the lives of millions of people, disrupting animal habitats and eco-systems. Although the Maltese Islands may currently not be largely affected by climate change, this may not be the case in the future. The health and diversity of ecosystems and species around the world is essential to the well-being, livelihoods and ultimately the very existence of mankind. Many local communities and indigenous peoples live interdependently with the surrounding biological diversity becoming an integral part of culture and identity.

Science shows that the present state of our planet will not improve anytime soon if we do not take action now. The biggest impacts will be on poor and developing countries, especially small island states. The biggest culprits of greenhouse gas emissions are developed countries.

We are looking for photos illustrating damage caused by climate change. Photos which capture what is being changed, damaged and lost both in the natural and human world. We appreciate photos that show human beings as an integral part of the impact of climate change (i.e. ice-melting; flooding; desertification, drought). Use your imagination when shooting and processing photos.

Who is eligible?
Our competition is open to anyone over eighteen years of age from all across the world. We particularly encourage young people to enter.

When is the deadline?
The deadline for entries has been extended to Monday 17^th August 2009. Photographs submitted beyond this date will not be accepted.

Who will judge the photos?
FoE Malta’s panel of judges will include a scientist, an environmentalist and a professional photographer.

What happens with the short listed photos?
The judges will choose a maximum of 20 photographs to participate in the exhibition and they will also select the best three photos. The chosen photos will be exhibited in three locations in the Maltese Islands. Photographs submitted to the exhibition may be used for FoE Malta’s publications. When so doing, the photographs will be accredited by name, home country, e-mail address and/or website.

Are there prizes for the winners?
A certificate of participation will be sent to all participants whose photos make it to the exhibition.

The winner of the competition will:

- receive a free tutorial by a professional photographer, member of the judging panel, where he/she will also have the opportunity to receive feedback regarding the prize entry. This would be a great opportunity to improve their skills and enhance their career

- see his/her photograph included in an advertising campaign in the local media

- see his/her photograph being part of a virtual exhibition on the internet as part of the Friends of the Earth Malta website

- receive a book price

Moreover, Friends of the Earth Malta plans to keep using the exhibits throughout its climate change campaign (at least over the next two years).

The first and second runners-up will also receive book prizes.

What are the rules for entry?
Entries must be received by the 17^th August 2009.
Entries should reflect the theme. Each participant may submit a maximum of 3 photographs.

Send each entry in a separate e-mail, and list the following:
a) your name and surname;
b) your home country;
c) your nationality;
d) your website (if applicable);
e) your postal address;
f) your telephone number;
g) your age;
h) your gender;
i) your email;
j) the place the photo was taken;
k) the date the photo was taken;
l) a short caption – up to three sentences – describing the image and the inspiration of the photographer.

Photographs must be sent either by email or on cd.
E-mail your photos to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or send them by post on CD to:
Friends of the Earth Malta
PO Box 13
Valletta VLT1000
Malta, Europe

Communication of results

The list of the photographs chosen will be published on FoE home page within 4 days after the closing of the competition.

Size of the photographs
The size must be at least 1819 x 2598 pixels [154 x 220mm horizontal] at 300 dpi resolution, supplied in jpeg format, with a maximum file size of 10 MB.

Terms and Conditions
1. By entering the contest, you give Friends of the Malta the right to publish the submitted photo(s) in FoE Malta publications.
2. We reserve the right to crop the images as we see fit. No manipulation or colour adjustment will be performed on submitted works.
3. Entries must be your own work.
4. Entries should not have won previous competitions, and should not have been published elsewhere.
5. No responsibility is accepted for ineligible entries or entries made fraudulently.
6. By entering this competition, you are accepting these rules and agree to be bound by them.

Who are we?
Friends of the Earth Malta has been active in the environmental field since 1985 under the name of Zghazagh ghall-Ambjent and later as Moviment ghall-Ambjent. The group was first set up as an umbrella organization for various youth and environmental groups, but soon developed into a committee of activists.

FoE Malta is a non-governmental organisation, member of an International network of NGOs, which strive to promote sustainable development. Friends of the Earth Malta engages in vibrant campaigns, raises awareness, and mobilises people to participate in public decision making.

Do you require more information?
Contact Christian Debono on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

‘This project has been funded with support from the European Commission - Youth in Action programmes under the heading 1.2 Youth Initiatives.This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.’