How the youth is harnessing the power of photography to inspire action on climate change

Sharad Patil’s ‘Climate Change and Air Pollution’ (Source: Museo Camera)

Koekkoek shared that this year, YCC was attended by around 150 participants from all over India, in two age categories (10-18 years and 19-25 years). “24 of the participants were selected through the photo competition, which gave them access to impactful training on climate change. In addition, their photos were exhibited as part of an official photo exhibition,” he said.

While the competition started four years back, the shortlisted photographs were presented at an exhibition for the first time this year. Talking about the same, Koekkoek said that it was believed a professional exhibition would be a good encouragement for the photographers to participate and will be a moment for people visiting the exhibition to think about the importance of addressing climate change.

“The exhibition did not only have the winning 24 photos of this year, but also the winning photos (best 3 in each age category) from earlier years. The idea is to make the exhibition larger and more prestigious every year, thereby increasing the attention and awareness for the issue of climate change,” he said.

Anand Singh’s ‘Between Life and Death’ (Source: Museo Camera)

After the 24 winning photos were announced on social media, the public voted for the best 3 in each age category — which were announced during the youth plenary at the World Sustainable Development Summit 2023. “The photos captured creative impressions by showing their observations on climate change, its impacts and the possible positive actions youth can take, contributing to Mission LiFE,” Koekkoek said.

Lavnika Nanda from Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, Delhi, who was one of the winners in the first category, for her photograph Lifeless Tree said that it can have several interpretations. “What is depicted is how photographs are kept as memoirs, the natural beauty is disappearing and the life around us is getting gloomy. The human hand signifies how it is us, humans, who are responsible for such consequences. This photograph aims to spread awareness and convey the message of putting the cruel practice of deforestation to an end,” she said.

Nanda, who first learned about the competition through her teacher, emphasised that it’s extremely urgent for the youth to talk about climate change. “The youth may be a victim of climate change but we’re also valuable contributors to climate action. It’s been proven multiple times that young people can provide effective solutions in the climate crisis. We can’t let only the adults handle this, it’s time for us to enter the ring and combat climate change,” she said.

Kamini Silora’s ‘Retrospect Yourself – For The Love Of Nature For The Love Of Mankind’ (Source: Museo Camera)

Believing something similar is Anand Singh, Central Public Academy, Gorakhpur, who also won in the first category for his photograph, Between Life and Death. “It’s generally showing the nature eco balancing system as well about life also that life is too short might be happier for someone and sadder for others. That we may be cheerful and relaxed as time goes on,” Singh said.

In the second category, Kamini Silora from Doon University, Dehradun, was among the three winners. Elaborating upon her photograph Retrospect Yourself – For The Love Of Nature For The Love Of Mankind, she said, “This photograph is a retrospective of all aspects of your environment; it’s not just who you are but also what you surround yourself with that can either propel you forward… or hold you back. Ask yourself, What happens if we don’t take action? If left unchecked, climate change will undo much of the progress made in development over the past few years. If you want action on climate change, start with yourself.”

Silora believes that photography can inform, educate, and can motivate action regarding climate change. “Images can transport the viewer to the core of the narrative and assist them in comprehending the complexities of the causes, effects, and solutions to the climate crisis through thoughtful and meaningful photography.”

Thanseeha’s ‘To My Future’ (Source: Museo Camera)

Thanseeha from SNTTI Kottapuram, Palakkad, Kerala, a fellow winner in the category, stressed the same with her photograph, To My Future. “Planting trees is one of the best solutions to solve the climate crisis. It purifies the air and provides a comfortable climate. This is the message I want to convey through my photograph,” she said, adding that climate change is a great challenge to our existence on earth, which every citizen should find an answer to.

Concluding, Koekkoek cited the recent IPCC synthesis report which sets out the urgency of climate change and what needs to be done. “Involving youth in the solutions for climate change is extremely important. It is them who will experience the most severe impacts. It is their lifestyle, their future jobs, and their environment, that is at stake. They are not responsible, but will be more impacted, and without them being part of the solution we will not manage to tackle climate change,” he said.

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