CIWEM’s Environmental Photographer of the Year is one of the fastest growing photographic competitions in the world, sharing images of environmental and social issues with international audiences. This exciting competition has already received hundreds of entries from photographers in over 30 countries, including Hungary, Poland, Bangladesh, Serbia, Israel, Bulgaria, Pakistan, The Netherlands, Zimbabwe and the UK, but photographers only have until 31st July 2009 to enter. (Photo: Happy in Her Own World by Environmental Photographer of the Year 2008 Abhijit Nandi.)

CIWEM’s international Environmental Photographer of the Year is open to all professional and amateur photographers worldwide. This year’s categories are Mott MacDonald’s Changing Climates; Black & Veatch’s World of Difference; Quality of Life; The Natural World; and Young Environmental Photographer of the Year (Under 21). It encourages entries that are contemporary, creative, experimental, resonant, original and beautiful.

The judging panel is made up of some of the most respected environmental photographers in the industry, including Gary Braasch, winner of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography, Anthony Epes and Ronnie Israel, as well as senior environmentalists including Lord Smith, the Chairman of the Environment Agency, and Nick Reeves, Executive Director of CIWEM.

Individual pieces of work will be judged on impact, creativity, composition, originality and technical abilities. Winners will share a prize fund of nearly £4,000 and all winning and highly commended entries will be displayed at the international Environmental Photographer of the Year Exhibition later this year. To enter, go to www.ciwem.org/arts/photographer.