The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN), a voluntary, member-driven community of policymakers, scientists, practitioners and other stakeholders committed to reducing the health risks posed by extreme heat, in collaboration with Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), has opened applications for a global photography competition aimed at capturing and elevating public understanding of one of the world’s most pervasive yet under-acknowledged climate challenges: extreme heat.
Described as a “silent killer,” extreme heat is an increasingly frequent and deadly consequence of climate change, yet its impacts remain largely invisible in the public narrative. This initiative invites photographers and visual storytellers from across the globe to document the human, environmental, and infrastructural toll of extreme heat, as well as the creative strategies communities are employing to adapt and remain resilient.
Submissions are expected to fall within one of the following four thematic categories:
- Human Health Impacts: Images that reflect how heat affects people in everyday life, including workers, the elderly, and public health responders.
- Impacts on Infrastructure & the Economy: Photos that illustrate how heat affects physical structures, utilities, businesses, and service delivery.
- Environmental and Animal Impacts: Visual evidence of the toll on natural ecosystems, agricultural landscapes, and animal wellbeing.
- Heat Resilience Strategies – Positive portrayals of local or institutional responses, including cooling innovations, public education, and community adaptation efforts.
Entrants are encouraged to submit powerful, original, and respectful imagery that aligns with ethical standards of consent and dignity, particularly when photographing vulnerable individuals.
Instead of monetary prizes, the contest offers a robust package of non-financial benefits aimed at enhancing the visibility and professional development of winners and finalists. Selected participants will gain access to a virtual photojournalism masterclass led by Nicola Vigilanti, an experienced documentary photographer based in Lyon, France, focusing on visual storytelling, ethics, and editing techniques. Winning images will receive global exposure through a curated digital exhibition at major UN climate and health conferences, as well as inclusion in a global photo essay on heat resilience, jointly produced by GHHIN and EJN. Winners will also receive personalised certificates of recognition and benefit from extensive online and media promotion across GHHIN’s digital platforms, partner networks, and potentially international media and multilateral channels. Notably, all participants will retain full copyright and attribution for their submitted work.
Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria: message clarity (25%), creativity and originality (25%), aesthetic and technical quality (25%), and overall impact and awareness potential (25%).
A panel comprising global experts in climate change, health communication, and visual media will evaluate all entries.
Deadline for submission of entries is August 29, 2025.
For more information and to make submissions, please visit: https://ghhin.org/extreme-heat-photo-contest.
