The fossil record shows that the extinction rate of mammals should be just one species per millennium. In the last decade, at least two mammal species have been lost, and it’s estimated that as many as one million plants and animal species are threatened with extinction; mostly through human activity. This brings the weighty realization that the survival of almost all species is in our hands: if we take action, we can save many, even if not all, of the endangered species living around us, and photos can drive that action.

The power of photography is to put a spotlight on the majestic and mesmerizing wonders of the natural world around us, reminding every one of us to take immediate action to secure a better tomorrow for everyone, including the generations to come. Art itself has always helped humans to connect with the natural world, from early humans’ daunting images of bison and mammoths to the beautifully detailed illustrations in botanical journals and magazines. 

Pixabay/ Pexels | Humankind’s greatest priority is to reintegrate with the natural world

World Nature Photography Awards

When great science and great art combine, amazing things can be achieved. That’s the philosophy behind the World Nature Photography Awards, a global nature and wildlife photography contest for planet Earth. The contest, which drew entries from 20 countries across six continents, intends to celebrate the world’s best nature photographers as they highlight the earth’s wonders, unshakable in the belief that photography can influence people to see the world from a different perspective and contribute to changing their habits to protect rather than plunder the planet.

Pixabay/ Pexels | Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better

The vision of this award is of a planet, mainly planet earth, in which climatic change has been reversed along with man’s relationship with the planet and all the things that co-exist on it.  There are 14 categories within the World Nature Photography Awards which provide plenty of opportunities for photographers to share their wonderful work. From landscape photography to animals in their habitats, photojournalism and humans’ interaction with nature, the stage is set for photographers to share their vision of the natural world with us. 

Winner and announcement for 2022 awards 

Lachlan Ross/ Pexels | Without habitat, there is no wildlife. It’s that simple

The entries for this year’s World Nature Photography Awards have been judged and announced Amos Nachoum as the winner for the grand prize and the title for the year. The winner photographer took the cash prize of $1,000 for his breathtaking image of a leopard seal about to catch a defenceless Gentoo penguin. Amos told the media that he had waited patiently for hours on the remote island of Plano, off the Antarctic Peninsula, waiting for the right moment at low tide when the seals stealthily entered a lagoon in search of their prey. 

Other images consisted of a long-tailed macaque, enjoying the warmth of each other during a hot day in Bali, Indonesia and a wildebeest’s eyes being gorged by an African vulture, keenly watched by an African fox for an opportunity to scavenge. Taken at Masai Mara, Kenya.