THE NORTHERN DROUGHT - México

YRE Competition 2023
1st Place - Single Photo Reportage
11-25 years old

By Victoria Margarita Andrade Morell, Preparatoria UDEM Unidad Valle Alto, Nuevo León

I walk by a river everyday on my way to class. Once it ́s water flowed with a color as beautiful as the sky, and I remember everyone stopped to admire it, now that it has run dry they ignore it, I believe because there ́s this fear that we are finally sat in the first row to see what global warming has brought. In this picture I try to capture how different this river has become over time. I hope to raise awareness of how easy it is to lose such a pretty sight. Drought in México it's a reality, and Climate Change won't have mercy to steal more of nature ́s beauty unless everyone starts acting against it.

NATURE FINDS A WAY, BUT AT WHAT COST? - Malta

YRE Competition 2023
2nd Place - Single Photo Reportage
11-25 years old

By Elizabeth Jade Pace and Zoe Zammit, Sacred Heart College Malta

Nature has an incredible ability to adapt and find a way to survive even in the most challenging conditions. However, this resilience often comes at a significant cost. Malta is an example of how rapid population growth, overdevelopment and loss of habitat have a negative impact on our lives and the islands biodiversity.  

(Malta has a rapidly growing population. Malta’s population grew from 417,432 in 2011 to 519,562 in 2021, that is roughly an increase of 25%. On a more worrying note, Eurostat figures show that between 2000 and 2021, construction activity in Malta shot up by an astronomical 330%. This is leading to the destruction of many natural habitats and rural areas in and around our towns and villages. It is crucial that we take action to protect and preserve the natural world before it is too late. 

WHAT A RISKY WAY TO BEGIN MY DAY - Israel

YRE Competition 2023
3rd Place - Single Photo Reportage
11-25 years old

By Ali Alnatsheh

This picture was taken in Aquab village, a suburb of Jerusalem. The neighborhood suffers from poor infrastructure and the lack of sidewalks for children, the elderly, people with special needs and other individuals to use. Therefore, pedestrians are forced to walk in dangerous places and in harsh conditions. Especially when it rains, which exposes them to the risks of traffic accidents, falls and various injuries. Poor infrastructure harms the population and has intensified in recent years due to climate change and massive rain events.

THE GREY WORLD - India

YRE Competition 2023
2nd Place - Single Photo Campaign
11-25 years old

By Ansh Gupta, CEPT

Buried life under the Concrete

While working on a construction site for my internship, all I saw and breathed was concrete. This completely shocked me and made me fear for the future generation because all we were leaving them with were these enormous, tall structures made of concrete. It is upsetting that we don't consider nature, who gave us life, as we rely on many natural resources to build these structures and take a lot from them without giving anything back. After some time, we will all get buried under them.

TRASH TRAVELLER, THE GERMAN WHO FIGHTS TO SAVE THE PORTUGUESE COAST - Portugal

YRE Competition 2023
3rd Place - Single Photo Campaign
11-25 years old

By André Soares and Gustavo Santos, Escola EB 2,3

On a beach near Lisbon, Andreas Noe, a German living in Portugal, having fun with his surfboard. At dusk before leaving, Andreas collects plastic from the beach. During 58 days of collecting rubbish from the Portuguese coast, Noe made a documentary "with the aim of raising awareness about plastic pollution and to give a voice to all NGOs". Andreas was a molecular biologist, but he resigned from his job because "it was impossible to ignore such a serious problem". He warns that "the most important thing is not the clean-up itself, but to alert society to the problem".

RECYCLING EMBRACE, NO DISGRACE - Montenegro

YRE Competition 2023
1st Place - Reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Nikola Kovač

Tires are a specific type of waste; it takes about 150 years to decompose one car tire, which speaks by itself about the potential environmental problem of improperly treated tires. Montenegro has not legally regulated the method of disposing of car tires yet. A big state problem is that tires are stored, thrown and often burned anywhere, regardless of places designated for disposal (1).

In order to save the environment, it is best to recycle them by turning them into some useful item. In order to give my contribution, I will also try to recycle and make new from the old.

The will creates miracles out of nothing, an oasis of peace from someone's negligence.

From waste of various kinds, creation is better,  you just need culture and a little bit of will.

Remember, anything is possible when hard-working hands, imagination and will come together.

Stools and the garden table are witnesses of persistence and strong mind. Judge for yourself whether I succeeded or not.

Be like me! Recycle! Recycling is the future! Recycling embrace, no disgrace!

 

READING WITHOUT COMPREHENSION - Slovakia

YRE Competition 2023
2nd Place - Reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Andrej Zjavka, SŠI Námestovo.

Slovakia is a country with compulsory school attendance, and yet it seems that many cannot read. Andrej cannot otherwise explain that everything, from plastics to carpets, can be found thrown around the sign with the inscription "Dumping Forbidden" in the Príslop mountain pass near his home. 

Andrej reads this sign and understands that this beautiful mountain location near his home is not a garbage dump.

Nevertheless, Andrej sees this image every day during his bus ride to and from school. 

And so Andrej goes trash picking so that flowers don't have to grow next to rubber tires or plastic bottles. 

The result is bags full of waste, ready for removal. Andrej has collected 352 bags over three years.

The truck that the Mayor's office of Oravský Podzámok sends to take the waste to the sorting yard when Andrej calls. 

Photo of Andrej with garbage bags was made by his teacher Miroslava Kvaková.

VERTICAL GARDENS: A RESPONSE TO CLIMATE URGENCY - Portugal

YRE Competition 2023
3rd Place - Reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Luís Martins

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the rise in temperature in urban areas is twice the world average rate due to the effects of heat islands. Faced with these data, in the climate change guide launched at COP 26 , there are detailed guidelines to help cities face global warming. As a response to this climate urgency arises the idea of vertical gardens, that is, gardens on the walls of buildings, with a great capacity to mitigate the effects of temperature rise in heat islands that cities become at canopy height. 

Vertical gardens, a natural work of art, that interweave with the city and create a unique and stunning texture

These green spaces in cities are a creative way to bring nature into urban environments, offering aesthetic and environmental benefits

A way of introducing biodiversity into cities, providing shelter and food for animals and insects, such as bees and butterflies

An aesthetic and sustainable solution for building facades, making them more attractive and reducing energy needs

Improves the quality of life in cities, has a positive impact on the environment, helping to reduce the ecological footprint of building

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PAST FIRES WARN THE FUTURE (Portugal) Category: Climate Change, Loss of Biodiversity

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YRE Competition 2022
2nd Place - Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Luís Martins

Since the beginning of 2021, in Portugal, 1,200 fires have occurred and an area of 5,477 hectares has burned, according to the note issued by the Lusa news agency on the data sent by the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection. In other words, the fires have more than doubled compared to March 2020, translating into an area burned almost seven times larger, leading to reflection on the government's forestry strategy, against the backdrop of the tragic fires of 2017.

The data sent to Lusa by Civil Protection regarding the fires that occurred between January 1st and March 25th, 2021, indicate that 83% occurred in bushland areas. This increase reminds and alarms to the importance of a good forest strategy, such as clearing, land preparation and good reforestation, in order to avoid more dramatic situations, bringing to mind the devastating fires of 2017. "Prevent so as not to have to remedy", for our President of the Republic, should be the motto for the National Action Programme of the Integrated Rural Fire Management Plan.

The progression of the flames in areas of scrub and eucalyptus, threatening homes // Photography Luís Martins

Whenever the skies of Braga darken with smoke, the fears of the past reignite // Photography Luís Martins

The presence of peacekeepers in the most complicated moments // Luís Martins photo

The importance of aerial means requires previous and sensible planning // Luís Martins Photography

The remarkable resilience of nature after the fires // Photography Luís Martins

DISSEMINATION

https://jra.abae.pt/plataforma/fotografia/os-incendios-do-passado-alertam-o-futuro/

https://www.facebook.com/jraportugal/posts/5434223649932227

https://twitter.com/yreportugal/status/1528421553158901760

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQLYxvXsKxx/

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Frog Taxi

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Past fires warn the future

Country: Portugal

FROG TAXI (Slovakia) Category: Loss of Biodiversity

YRE Competition 2022
1st Place - Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years old

By Hana Noščáková

In the spring, frogs from the local forest need to overcome barriers to reach ponds. At the suggestion of their teacher, a group of student volunteers decided to provide a frog taxi and transport them safely to their mating site. The barriers were stretched out by conservationists; the volunteers walk along them with their equipment - buckets and gloves. The frogs waiting at the barriers are picked up, transferred to the water and released. Thus students help maintain the uniqueness and biodiversity of the forest environment.

The professor delights in helping out. She lifts a frog at the barrier, and puts it into the bucket.

Students pick up the frogs and add them to their buckets, which are getting heavier.

As this is mountainous terrain, both students and frogs overcome obstacles.

On the other side, frogs are released in the water. The barriers remain throughout the mating period.

Frogs mate in the water, lay their eggs, and then return to the forest where they came from.

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place

Title: Frog Taxi

Country: Slovakia

2nd Place

Title: Past fires warn the future

Country: Portugal

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TERRIFYING LIGHT (Montenegro) Category: Pollution, Loss of Biodiversity

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YRE Competition 2022
Single Photo Reportage
11-25 years old

By Arijana Adrović

The photo was taken during a forest fire in May 2021, which lasted for several days and was extinguished by an action of the residents of Donja Vrbica in the municipality of Petnjica in the north of Montenegro.

Fascinating Tyndall effect created by scattering light rays through pollution particles. As impressive as the photo may seem at first glance due to the motifs of the sun's rays, what caused this effect also caused the complete destruction of vegetation in a significant forest area.

Our world is slipping down the drain (Canada)

YRE Competition 2021
Photo Campaign
11-25 years old

The life of our planet is slowly draining away. Light needs to be shed on this dark hole that is gradually devouring our world. The apathy and neglect towards our planet is speeding up the process of degradation in our environment. Reduced biodiversity presents a direct threat towards millions of people and the health of our ecosystems. Alarmingly, pollution has also become a contributing factor towards ecosystem endangerment and global warming. With the world crippling beneath our feet, action needs to be taken in order to achieve a beautiful and healthy planet.

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@YRECompetition2021

Single Photo Campaign, 11-25 years

1st Place
Title: Our World is Slipping Down the Drain
Country: Canada

2nd Place
Title: Disposable Masks’ Double flight
Country: Portugal

Honourable Mention
Title: Sweet destruction
Country: Iceland

The waste collecting woman who is no waste (Ghana)

YRE Competition 2021
Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25 years

Photographer: David Kojo Dagadu (age 19), Apeguso Senior High school, Akosombo, Ghana.

About the woman who collects the plastic waste from his teacher Margaret Ayerno´s house. 

“A woman living in a suburb of Akosombo, was collecting the used water sachets bags at my house but she wanted to stop, because according to her, people were making fun of her because she was collecting the waste. So I encouraged her, and she continued. I packed mine neatly for her when she came to my house. (Photo number 1.)

Just before the covid she bought a piece of traditional cloth from the proceeds she realized from the sales of the used water sachets. The meaning of the pattern of the traditional cloth she bought is "You think I will be a waste". Because she had no job, people think she is useless and that is why when she got the money she decided to buy that particular cloth which has such a name. (Photo number 2).

I donated an Eco-Schools T-shirt to her because of the hard work she is doing to protect the environment. (Photo number 3).

I educated the fishmonger that the plastic would kill the fish if it was not prevented from ending up in the water. The fishmonger women, who had started buying the plastics from them, now take the collected plastic waste to the recycling factories for the women that collect it. (Photo number 4).

Now she has created a good market for the used sachets so more women are collecting. (Photo number 5).

I tried organizing the students at Akosombo International School to cover their story with an article, but because of the COVID-19 situation at the school they were not allowed to leave the school's premises. Luckily David came along from Apeguso High School to take the photos. I am now planning to organize the waste pickers and form a Women Eco-Club in their locality where our Eco-Schools students can come and share their knowledge on the importance of good waste management with them when COVID-19 is over. The story reflects many of the SDG´s such as 1, 4.7, 12,14 and 15.”

Margaret Ayernor

Eco-Schools coordinator; Akosombo


DESCRIPTION

The photos above are taken by David on the topic of plastic pollution and how if we do not stop, reduce, reuse or recycle our plastic waste , they can end up polluting our environments (SDG 15) oceans (SDG 14) . Tackling the idea of responsible consumption (SDG 12) , income generation through using waste as resource to reduce poverty (SDG 1) while contributing to lifelong learning through non-formal education (SDG 4)

@YRECompetition2021

Photo Reportage of 3-5 Photos, 11-25 years

1st Place
Title: The waste collecting woman who is no waste.
Country: Ghana

2nd Place
Title: The Scythe for Life
Country: Slovakia

The end of the world (Montenegro)

YRE Competition 2021
Single photo reportage
11-25 years

Djordje Pejović, Secondary vocational school "Spasoje Raspopović", Podgorica (MONTENEGRO)


The disappearance of Biogradsko Lake

Biogradsko Lake, which is the heart of the Biogradska gora National Park (on the Tentative List of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves), is one step closer to drying up. Like most glacial lakes, it is doomed to disappear slowly.

The upper part of the lake often dries up completely, and the water level is very low. The reasons for the disappearance are various - glaciation, the appearance of abysses... In the place of perfect beauty, not so beautiful images of the "end of the world" appear. With the disappearance of the lake, its living world and the heart of one of the last three large virgin rain forests in Europe will disappear.

@YRECompetition2021

Single Photo Reportage, 11-25 years

1st Place
Title: The end of the world
Country: Montenegro

Honourable Mentions
Title: Hope
Country: Malta

The ''Red lake'' near Dobro Selo in B&H

YRE Competition 2020
Single photo reportage
11-25 years old

This is "Red Lake", a problem of Herzegovina and the entire region that is desperate for rehabilitation. A reminder of a failed factory and its forgotten landfill.

Red sludge is toxic due to high alkalinity and heavy metal content.

There are scientific papers on the topic of sludge and waste lye remediation. It can be used to produce a gelatinous coagulant which is a means of purifying industrial wastewater.

 There are other ways to successfully rehabilitate the sludge, but question remains whether the regional authorities want to deal with it and try to obtain funds, which are obviously a problem.

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By: Andrea Cetina

Five alternative solution models to the eco-apocalypse from the new rurals (Turkey)

YRE Competition 2020
Photo reportage of 3-5 photos
11-25

In Turkey, for the last 20 years, the new rurals/new pioneers who started back-to-the-land movement have applied alternative models against ecological apocalypse. New rurals are certain that by 2030, the world will struggle with the problems of drought, famine, climate crisis, immigration, diseases and etc., invite everyone immediately to have eco-consciousness!

Authors: Elif Pınar Sevinç, Tarık Bayri, İlker Can Koçulu, Selin Gürel, Ozan Gümüşoğlu, Ayşenur Ataseven, Alperen Alaş, Emre Uzunoğlular, Aytek Başkan, Şevval İpek, Harun Gecü, Zeynep Lara Yüce

Stop Sucking The Life Out Of Our Oceans (Canada)

YRE Competition 2019
1st Place as a campaign photo
15-18 years old

Approximately 57 million straws are used by Canadians daily, and where do they end up? In our landfills and oceans. Instead of biodegrading or dissolving, plastic only breaks down into tiny pieces called “micro-plastics” that are ingested by marine life and bio-accumulates down the food chain. In addition, producing plastic emits a large amount of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

YRE 15-18, 1st place as campaign - Stop sucking the life out of our oceans - Canada.jpg

Author: Luckshana Ganeshananda

The secret life of the market (Slovakia)

YRE Competition 2019
1st Place as a reportage photo
11-14 years old

The photo captures the unique way in which some sellers at Miletičova Market have dealt with fruits and vegetables that would have been wasted.

One salesperson put unsold, somewhat unsightly, potatoes in a box and left them on a shelf for people who needed them. In the past she had thrown them into the green waste bin, among rotten bits and pieces and leaves. Other vendors joined her, creating a beautiful link between people who do not meet, but still have a "secret alliance" with each other.

YRE 11-14, 1st place as reportage - The secret life of the market - Slovakia.jpg

Author: Hana Noščáková

Garbage Feast (South Korea)

YRE Competition 2018
1st Place as a campaign photo
15-18 years old

What did you have for lunch?

Every day, over 40,000 tons of garbage is produced in Seoul. This garbage is burnt and pollutes the atmosphere, buried underground and deteriorates soil quality, and destroys the aquatic ecosystem through irresponsible disposal. Garbage gets diversified exponentially, and it becomes dirty food for the Earth. She is cramming this garbage feast.

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Made by student from South Korea.