Zooming in on Biodiversity and Climate Change | ASEAN photo contest

Do you want to help raise awareness for biodiversity and climate change? Join Zooming in on Biodiversity and Climate Change, an ASEAN-wide photography contest. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and GIZ will accept entries until 31 July 2013.

The contest is open to all residents of ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. There are three categories: professional, amateur, and student.

“We welcome entries that capture various images related to biodiversity and climate change. These include photos depicting the tell-tale signs of climate change such as flooding, drought, and forest fires; photos that show the impact of climate change on biodiversity; and photos depicting ways by which people curb climate change,” Mr. Rolando A. Inciong, head of ACB’s communication and public affairs unit, said.

Winners stand to win cash prizes totaling $4,000. In the professional category, the first placer will win $1,000, while the second and third placers will receive $500 and $300, respectively. For the amateur and student categories, the first placers stand to win $500 each. The second and third placers will receive $300 and $200, respectively. A special award of $200 will be given to the photo that will win in an online poll.

Winning entries will be published in the ASEAN Biodiversity Magazine and other international publications, and featured in an exhibit to be displayed in ASEAN countries.

An activity under the ACB-GIZ Biodiversity and Climate Change Project, the contest uses the medium of photography to draw attention to the twin issues of biodiversity and climate change, and the need for global action to address these issues.

“Photos are an effective way to catch the attention of the public. By using the power of these images, photographers young and old can contribute to global efforts to generate a greater awareness for biodiversity and climate change,” said Dr. Berthold Seibert, project director of the ACB-GIZ Biodiversity and Climate Change Project.