OREANDA-NEWS. Climate change may well be the greatest challenge of our age and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today kicked off an online photo contest to find the best images representing the impacts of climate change on the people and environments in Asia and the Pacific. 

“It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words so we are inviting all amateur photographers to give us their visual take on climate change, which affects all of us in many different ways,” said Satinder Bindra, Principal Director of ADB’s Department of External Relations. “In December, countries from around the world will be making decisions on our planet’s future in Paris, France and it is important leaders get our views on this crucial issue.” 

The #Click4Climate contest asks participants to submit images on the topic of: "How is the Changing Climate Affecting You?” ADB is looking for creative images from everyday life here in Asia and the Pacific, with a caption, in English, of no more than 100 words to explain the meaning behind the photo.

The contest is open to all non-professional photographers, of any age and in any location.  Images must be taken personally by the photographer, be not previously published, and depict a scene in Asia and the Pacific. Contestants can submit as many photos as they like.  

To enter the contest, post your photograph on your Instagram account, using the hashtag #Click4Climate and tag @asiandevbank. You can also share contest photos on Facebook and Twitter. Photos can be posted any time between 00:01 Manila time on 13 August 2015 and midnight Manila time 30 September 2015, with the winners announced on 14 October 2015.

The Asia and the Pacific region has the the highest number of people at risk from the impacts of climate change. It has some of the world’s biggest megacities, many in coastal areas where rising sea levels could displace millions, and many countries are among the most vulnerable globally to increasingly severe storms, floods and droughts, melting glaciers, and other climate-related events.

In the 2 decades since 1990, developing Asia’s share of worldwide energy-related carbon dioxide emissions doubled to 37%, and is expected to reach about 46% by 2035, so the region’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions are seen as critical to the success or failure of global efforts to battle climate change.   

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region.  In 2014, ADB assistance totaled \\$22.9 billion, including cofinancing of \\$9.2 billion.