In 2024, the Wiki Loves Earth International photo contest again supported the initiative Wiki4HumanRights in partnership with the Wikimedia Foundation (WMF) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Its goal is to raise awareness of nature protection and human impacts on nature.

Within the special nomination “Human Rights and Environment”, we accepted images that capture the impact of human activity on the environment. You can read more about the nomination and criteria for image selection here.

We’ve been organizing this nomination every year since 2021. Since 2023, we have been accepting images from the whole world, not only from the countries taking part in the main contest.

This year, we received over 11,500+ images in the nomination, which is the highest-ever number.
Five jury members helped us choose the best images for this important special nomination: biologists, ecologists, human rights and environment experts, and Wikimedians.

Joao Pompeu (Brasil, biologist and ecological researcher, documentary photographer).
Nicky Deluggi (Italy, Human Rights Fellow at the Wikimedia Foundation, former climate activist).
Olivia Bonner (USA, Equitable Decarbonization Legal Fellow at Stanford Law School).
Juliana Almeida (Portugal, UNEP’s Law Division as an Environmental Law specialist).
Masana Mulaudzi (South Africa, Senior Manager, Campaign Organizing at the Wikimedia Foundation).

Check the post for the full information about the jurors here.

After the organizing team’s review and the jury’s evaluation, we have the best images, which we are ready to present!

“Water as a source of life”

The first representative of this category is the series of images taken in the River Padma area in the district of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. This vibrant and vital watercourse is facing an alarming trend of gradually drying up due to the severe impact of climate change.

The author shares the main issues: “Climate change, deforestation, upstream dams and diversions, urbanization, and population pressure, which are key factors behind the decline of the Padma River. Altered weather patterns and reduced rainfall disrupt its natural water balance. Unregulated deforestation causes soil erosion, siltation, and diminished groundwater recharge, impacting river flow. Upstream dams and water diversions further reduce downstream water levels. The drying Padma River results in ecological damage, agricultural disruption, water scarcity, and economic fallout. Reduced flow harms aquatic life, wetlands, and biodiversity, while farmers face irrigation challenges and communities lose access to drinking water. Increased pollution and habitat loss exacerbate the crisis”.

One of the jurors, Joao Pompeu, commented on these images: “It is really impressive how the largest rivers of the world are drying. From the Amazonas to the Padma, more and more sandbanks are present in the landscape and, thus, threatening the livelihood of those who depend on the living riverine ecosystems”.

Juliana Almeida added: “Lovely photos with the color play and the sole boat, showing that there are some areas in this planet with limited human presence”.

Continuing the problem of water as a source — the next series of images shows us that many countries are facing issues with ruining the natural heritage sites. These images were taken in the area of Burdur Lake in Turkey.

The author shares the main issue: “Burdur Lake is one of the important lakes of Turkey, which has been drying up rapidly in recent years and is now shrinking to 50% drying up. The water resources that give life to the lake are being revealed as the lake waters recede. It is a great danger for the local people who are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry”.

“The retreat of the lake is alarming. Through an almost abstract photo revoking textures, lines, and color contrasts, the author draws attention to what that landscape could be. Not only beautiful, that waters mean the source of life for many in the region and are shrinking.” – says Joao Pompeu.

The image from Tunisia, taken on the beach of Errimel Bizerte, highlights some important environmental risks. Decaying ships release toxic substances like oil, heavy metals, and chemicals, polluting the water and harming marine life. Their presence disrupts habitats and introduces debris, contributing to microplastic pollution. These toxins can accumulate in marine organisms, posing risks to both wildlife and humans. Additionally, the graveyard damages the beach’s appearance, affecting tourism and local fishing livelihoods.

“Save our nature!”

Human effects on nature are various. Fishing is one of the ways to impact the ecosystem, often in damaging ways. This image from Tunisia, taken in the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Îles Kerkennah, offers a macro view of fishing nets, drawing attention to their intricate details as the focal point.
This image also won 9th place in the landscapes category of the main top-20 images of Wiki Loves Earth 2024.

“Great composition putting the subject in the center of its means of labor” – commented juror Joao Pompeu.

Juliana Almeida marked: “Amazing use of color and surrounding objects”.

This photo captures a poignant moment in the Kyiv region of Ukraine, symbolizing two vital themes: the pervasive presence of plastic in our environment and the significance of caring for animals, especially in their times of greatest need. It highlights how important it is to care for the environment and animals, showing our shared responsibility to protect them both.

One of the jurors, Juliana Almeida, drew attention to: “The photo is simultaneously discreet and in your face on the pervasiveness of plastic in ecosystems”.

Unfortunately, wildfire is one of the widespread problems for the environment, and mostly it is caused by human actions. This image from Nepal illustrates the wildfire at the base of Fishtail Mountain. It harms the environment by destroying vegetation, disrupting habitats, and contributing to carbon emissions. It also increases the risk of soil erosion and landslides. The fire threatens local communities and tourism, making wildfire prevention and control essential.

The ecosystem of oceans, seas and water in general is hugely crucial for our well-being.
“Only we humans have the responsibility and the power to change something! “What doesn’t end up in the trash, ends up in the sea” — that’s how the author of this photo from Portugal describes it, and this problem is a high priority to solve.

João Pompeu commented: “The yellowish and grey tones shine an appealing light into a big problem: all the rubbish ends up in the sea”.

The last photo, taken in Jugeda Rana village in Dhangadhi, Nepal, is described by the author: “I clicked this photo during the fall season to capture how people are witnessing rapid changes in climate and environment, reflecting our geography and the way we coexist with the inevitability of time and space”.

Congratulations to the winners, and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has demonstrated their dedication to raising awareness about the vital and essential issue of nature conservation!

Last year, it attracted 8,500+ images worldwide. You can find the results for the previous year here.

🏆We will organise the Wiki Loves Earth 2024 Award Ceremony to celebrate this year’s winnings.
When and where? 19th December, at 14 UTC in Zoom.
Check the time with your local timezone here.

If you want to participate, please register by filling out this short form, and we will send you the invitation.

An awaited final top 20 winners of Wiki Loves Earth 2024 here.
Winners for the special Video nomination of Wiki Loves Earth 2024 here.

Follow the contest on our channels to keep up with updates: