Join global photography competition to showcase the real impacts of extreme heat

Extreme Heat Photo Contest is not just another photography challenge—it’s a global call to action. As climate change accelerates, heatwaves are becoming deadlier, more frequent, and devastatingly invisible. Organized by the Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) in partnership with Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN), this contest empowers photographers worldwide to capture the unseen dangers of extreme heat and the resilience of communities fighting back.

Enter Contest

Deadline to enter: August 29, 2025.

This initiative aims to visually articulate how rising temperatures impact human health, infrastructure, the environment, and community responses—helping drive empathy, policy, and change.

Why a Global Extreme Heat Photo Contest Matters

Extreme heat is a silent killer—affecting millions but often overlooked. Unlike floods or wildfires, heat leaves no dramatic trail. It silently stresses our bodies, buckles our infrastructure, damages crops, and threatens wildlife.

GHHIN’s photo contest intends to make these impacts visible. By sharing authentic, localized visual narratives, this initiative helps expose the real-world consequences of heat and showcases adaptive strategies people are developing to survive—and thrive—in a warming world.

Helpful Link: Global Heat Health Information Network

 Photo Categories You Can Submit To

The Extreme Heat Photo Contest offers four categories. Entrants may submit to multiple categories but can only win in one.

1. Heat Impacts on Human Health

Capture the emotional and physical strain of heat on individuals. Suggested images:

• A construction worker wiping sweat from his brow

• Elderly person using a fan during a power outage

• Community health worker distributing water

• A woman covering her child from direct sunlight

Tip: Always obtain informed consent for identifiable individuals.

2. Heat Impacts on Infrastructure & Economy

Visualize how rising temperatures disrupt economies and built environments.

• Melting asphalt roads or distorted pavement

• “Closed due to AC failure” signs on businesses

• Dripping HVAC systems

• Railway or traffic disruptions during heatwaves

3. Heat Impacts on Environment & Animals

Extreme heat leaves a mark on nature too.

• Cracked, dried soil in a once-green park

• Birds spreading wings for shade

• Scorched crops or wilted plants

• Heat-exhausted pets lying on tile floors

Only capture animals in humane, non-distressful conditions.

4. Heat Resilience Strategies

Highlight creative ways communities are adapting:

• Public cooling centers with locals inside

• Misting stations or shade sails at playgrounds

• Volunteers handing out water and hats

• Rooftop gardens with shade structures

What Winners Will Receive

While no cash prizes are offered, winners gain invaluable global exposure, skills development, and network access.

Awards Include:

Photojournalism Masterclass
Led by Nicola Vigilanti, a Lyon-based documentary photographer with over two decades of experience. Learn ethical storytelling, visual composition, and how to build a photo series.

Global Feature
Winning images will be showcased in a photo essay on heat risk and resilience, hosted by EJN and GHHIN.

Digital Exhibitions
Photos will be displayed at UN climate and health conferences, elevating your work to international stakeholders.

Certificate of Recognition
Receive a personalized certificate from GHHIN.

Online Promotion
Your work will be featured across GHHIN.org and their social media channels, with DoFollow links and full credit.

All participants retain full copyright.

Submission Guidelines & Technical Requirements

Submission Format:

• Only original images in JPEG or PNG

• Minimum resolution: 4000×3000 pixels

• Must include: Title, date, location, and caption

• No AI-generated images allowed

Additional Rules:

• Must be 18+ to enter

• Entries previously published in professional media are not eligible

• Multiple entries allowed, but only one prize per person

Visit ghhin.org/photo-contest (DoFollow) for full terms and entry portal.

Judging Criteria & Ethical Considerations

Each submission will be scored by a diverse panel of climate, health, and communication experts, using the following criteria:

• Message clarity (25%)

• Creativity & originality (25%)

• Aesthetics & composition (25%)

• Overall impact (25%)

Ethical Reminders:

• Obtain consent from identifiable persons

• Consent from guardians required for minors

• Avoid exploiting distress—focus on dignity and resilience

 Conclusion: Why Your Lens Matters

Extreme heat doesn’t always make headlines, but its destructive and deadly consequences ripple silently across the globe. Through the Extreme Heat Photo Contest, your camera can become a tool for truth, change, and climate justice.

Whether you’re a seasoned photojournalist or a passionate amateur, this is your chance to expose the silent crisis and champion those adapting against all odds. Help the world see the invisible—and act before it’s too late.

Enter the Extreme Heat Photo Contest by August 29, 2025.
Submit Your Entry Now

Internal Links

• Pakistan’s Deadly Heatwaves: A Silent Emergency

• Karachi’s Cooling Centers: A Model for Urban Heat Resilience