Winners of HP Climate Change Photography Contest ‘09
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The Big Flood: Even as large waves forced several families near Ullal in Mangalore, Karnataka to evacuate their homes, India continues to vacillate. Delay in adapting to climate change will put millions in harm’s way. The next few decades will also change the very map of coastlines around the world. The frequency and intensity of storms will leave low-lying coastal areas extremely vulnerable. Apart from wind and water, the salinisation of aquifers and farms will force large numbers of coastal communities to migrate inwards, setting off a domino effect of deprivation and competition for scarce resources. This striking image is a poignant reminder of the dangerous times India is passing through and was unanimously selected as the first prize winner of the HP Climate Change Photography Contest 2009. |
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It’s a dog’s life: This terrified stray was photographed in Surat, Gujarat where it was compelled to take refuge on the roof of a submerged car to survive the onslaught of heavy rains. Scientists warn that climate change will manifest itself by a cycle of floods and droughts of increasing potency. Statistics reveal that while the overall volume of rain has not changed drastically, the number of rainy days have, causing acute water shortage during subsequent summer months. |
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Colours of death: A young boy casts a dark shadow on a highly polluted sewer that, like innumerable others, empties large amounts of contaminated water into the river Ganges. Thousands die due to water-related diseases each year. When untreated agricultural and industrial waste empties into our water sources, it adds deadly pressure on human and wildlife populations. Access to clean water and sanitation is the basis of all life and water issues are destined to be at the centre of India’s development priorities. If we are unable to prevent the destruction and desecration of pure water sources, no one will have any hope whatsoever of delivering on the long-promised dream of roti, kapada and makaan (food, clothing and shelter). |
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Silent scream: The retreating tide leaves a fish gasping for breath along the coast of Diveagar, Maharashtra. Overfishing, mercury and heavy metal pollution, ocean acidification, coral reef collapse and frequent oceanic cyclones have together depleted the world fish populations. As ocean conditions such as temperature and current patterns are altered due by climate change, distribution patterns, invasion by exotics and extinction of threatened fish species will inevitably undermine human food security. |
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The Rising Pall: The image of a thick black cloud of smoke billowing out of the IOC oil depot in Jaipur, Rajasthan perfectly encapsulates the dark fate that awaits us at the hands of the fossil fuel industry. At Copenhagen the hope was that world leaders would unite to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Nothing of the sort took place. The industrial North displayed its irresponsibility and China and India, joined their party by refusing to accept anything other than token cuts in carbon intensity. Emissions from Asia will therefore surge over the next two decades. As will our oceans. |
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Dark Future: India’s farmers are amongst the poorest in the world. And they are totally dependent on the monsoon, which is becoming more unpredictable by the year. Farmers must cope with too much, or too little rain; rain that falls early or late, or in the wrong places. Rising temperatures and falling groundwater levels add to their woes. Soil erosion, high rates of soil moisture evaporation, leaching, increasing incidence of disease and pests are causing yields to drop. On top of this comes the tyranny of money lenders and seed cartels, whose grip gets tighter as the weather gets worse. As thousands of farmer suicides in India prove… in more ways than one, climate change is a life threatening event. |
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Forests Afire: This image of pines burning in a forest near Binsar, just outside Almora town, represents the future. Though climate change is being talked about, little or nothing is being done by our government to prepare for the increased incidents or, and the elevated intensity of forest fires. Apart from destroying millions of small and large organisms, forest fires permanently reduce diversity by hampering recruitment of several sensitive plant species. This summer, experts predict we may see some of Asia’s worst forest fires because temperatures have risen above normal and soil moisture has evaporated more than usual. This they say could cause fires to burn at higher temperatures, thus destroying trees that might merely have been singed in days gone by. This will release ever larger quantities of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. |
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Sourcing Water: This snail has made its slow way to a leaking tap to hydrate its body. Soft-bodied creatures, molluscs must keep their skins moist to breathe. Unnaturally dry seasons, could take a toll of terrestrial snail species that must aestivate to prevent desiccation. Prolonged droughts could reduce the length of activity periods, with small juveniles less able to tolerate desiccation. Long dry periods could also reduce reproductive success. |
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Close Shave: It took just 100 mm. of rain to flood Kolkata city, disrupting normal life and causing a collapse of of the transport system. This roadside barber, nevertheless kept his custom going, while schools and offices shut down. The city’s power supply was shut for safety reasons for hours. Few citizens however made the connection between the faulty developmental policies being pushed by their leaders and the increased frequency and intensity of floods. |
