Even the average photographic competition produces the most vivid and impressive scenes of life as we know, or don’t know, it. This Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition from is meant to enhance our understanding of the causes, consequences and solutions to climate change and social inequality. It was created in 2007 by the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management and has gone from strength to strength internationally. Atkins are a well-known consultancy in the design, engineering and management field. Viewing many of their past entries can be quite gruelling, but certainly eye-opening.

Mohammad Fahim Ahamed Riyad from Bangladesh won the £5000 prize last year, but this year, with a closing date of April 7th, even you have a chance to win, with amateurs and professionals of all ages welcome. With 10,000 entries last year, competition is fierce. The organisers mention photographs should show a dynamic link between environmental and social issues. Originality, creativity and technical ability are especially sought after. Look at the enties from last year and you’ll get an idea of the profiles of winners on what exactly the 5 judges are looking for.

For movie makers, there is also an environmental film prize; for young people under 18, another prize and there is a Cityscape prize for those who can’t escape their urban environment! We’ve followed our natural bent and shown the problem of dead fish appearing frequently within Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay. The treatment of sewage from the overflowing city has been rudimentary for years, but may improve, as sailing events for the Rio Olympics are due to take pace there in 2016! The range of photographs is immense however and doesn’t just cover pollution.