- An amateur photographer wins the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award for a photograph of a polar bear on an iceberg, highlighting the vulnerability of the species and the urgent need for action against climate change.
- The image captures the threat faced by polar wildlife due to global warming and habitat loss, with the small iceberg symbolizing the dwindling polar habitats.
- With a record-breaking 75,000 votes, the photo comes at a critical time for polar bears, as they face immense pressure from the rapidly warming Arctic.
Additional Coverage:
- An amazing photo of a polar bear napping on an iceberg is driving a conversation about the climate crisis (businessinsider.com)
A photograph of a polar bear taking a nap on an iceberg has won an international photography contest. The image, captured by amateur photographer Nima Sarikhani, was intended to inspire hope for the future of the planet. This photo sheds light on the critical period faced by this vulnerable species.
The photograph was awarded the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award, presented by the Natural History Museum in London. Sarikhani took the picture while on a three-day expedition near Norway’s Svalbard archipelago.
In a press release, Sarikhani expressed that this photo has evoked strong emotions in many viewers. Alongside the awareness of climate change, Sarikhani hopes the image also instills hope, emphasizing that there is still time to address the environmental damage we have caused.
This image vividly portrays the threat faced by polar wildlife due to the climate crisis. The small iceberg offers only temporary refuge for the bear, illustrating the shrinking polar habitats caused by global warming.
Dr. Douglas Gurr, the director of the Natural History Museum, described the photo as a visual representation of the detrimental effects of climate warming and habitat loss.
Out of over 50,000 entries, Sarikhani’s photograph won with 75,000 votes, setting a new record in the competition. This surge of interest coincides with a critical time for polar bears.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are currently 22,000 polar bears remaining in the wild. Although the species is classified as vulnerable, which is less severe than endangered, they are facing immense pressure due to the climate crisis’ impact on the Arctic, warming at a rate twice as fast as the global average.
Regarding the conservation efforts in the United States, it is unclear what progress has been made since the polar bear first received protected status in 2008, as stated by Dr. Flavio Lehner, chief climate scientist at Polar Bears International.
In a press release published in May 2023, Lehner emphasized that the next 15 years will conclude what the United Nations defined as the critical decade to address climate change.