Stunning Results Of National Geographic's People Vs. Climate Change Photography Challenge

While the scientists are warning that the humanity is rapidly approaching the point, after which the drastic climate change is pretty much irreversible, others try to prove them wrong and destroy even those minor improvements we managed to reach. While people and nature are already dealing with the environmental consequences of irresponsible humans’ behavior and are forced to live in the circumstances of terrible pollution, the shortage of drinking water and the lack of food, others promote the production that damages the environment and fosters climate change, continue denying the damaging effects and making money on something that makes the bright future of further generations quite questionable.

However, pollution, climate change and other environmental challenges aren’t just black and white. As all complicated phenomena, they include certain issues that explain why climate change is rather difficult to combat. Let’s just think about the fact that many people in many regions of our planet rely on industries that may be called the largest pollutants.

The jobs, the qualifications, ordinary families all over the globe, whose life depends on production that’s damaging to the environment. The economies, which won’t manage to transition in a blink of an eye. The capitals that are built on harmful industries. The costs green lifestyle requires in the beginning of its mass implementation. The advanced technologies, which seem to get better and make even traditional heavy production more sustainable, are still far from being completely clean and perfect for that matter. There’re just too many things tied to the climate change. And the efforts to reverse it, while being exceptionally important and beneficial, may not mean the best for average people.

This is what the National Geographic’s amazing project called My Climate Action challenge was trying to showcase. And, the pictures the journal received from photographers all over the world say even more than that. Here’re my picks and stories that impressed me the most.

#1

Photo by: Antonio Pellicano

Recycling plant in Italy. A worker standing among the mountains of waste. According to the photographer, recycling and separate waste collection was introduced in the region almost 20 years ago, but people are still not used to this practice, which makes the job a lot harder. But even if that fact isn’t taken into consideration, the photograph strikes with the amount of waste modern civilization produces and makes us question the true value of its achievements.

#2

Photo by: Vedran A.

Vatnajökull Glacier in Iceland – a powerful creation of Nature that’s melting due to the climate change.

#3

Photo by: Jassen T.

Navajo Nation – one of the conventional power plants based on coal that were meant to be closed. The plans were changed by Donald Trump, who doesn’t seem to believe in climate change. Despite the economic inefficiency of coal power and the climate change impact its production carries, the shutdown of similar plants will mean terrible consequences for many people engaged in the industry. This photo showcases the darker side of the vital transition to green energy – the loss of jobs.

#4

Photo by: Jassen T.

Oil refinery in Houston, Taxes. Oil drilling and production involve mass pollution, deforestation, biosphere damage, gas emissions and other environmental consequences. As it’s practically impossible to eliminate the use of fossil fuels at this point, different engineering companies are offering advanced technologies to make the industry more sustainable, increase oil efficiency and decrease the damage to the environment.

#5

Photo by: Kartic Mahadev

Old community center in India undergoes an eco-friendly update and gives hope to the environment protectors, especially given the fact that India is among the growing economies – largest environment pollutants.

#6

Photo by: Gloria Salgado Gispert

The scientist conducting an equipment check on the research vessel called Investigator. The marine research the crew of scientists conducts helps to understand and study the effects of climate change and its possible consequences.

#7

Photo by: Rajat Swami

Everyone can make a difference. Old Indian man uses his old boat to collect waste from one of the world’s most polluted and toxic rivers – Yamuna, which also carries significant religious importance and serve as the water source to approximately 60 millions of people living within its basin.

#8

Photo by: H. Akay

The expedition in the Arctic region, close to Greenland, where the temperatures hit record high levels, observe the amusing shapes of melting ice. The disappearing Northern beauty.

#9

Photo by: Jassen T.

Renewable energy plant in California. The state’s agenda is to produce at least 50% of energy it consumes on such plants by 2050.

#10

Photo by: Jason Berto

People are collecting drought-resistant rice. The crop is becoming more and more popular, as it grows without the extensive irrigation traditional rice requires, as well as provide people living in drought-prone regions with food.

#11

Photo by: Don Cayo

Refugees from Mali are staying in line in for drinking water and food provided by international aid agencies. Despite the terrible living conditions, no access to education or healthcare, these drought-depleted people fled their homes to be closer to the source of water and save their lives.