“Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award
—Capture the Vitality and Future of Coasts Through Your Vision
To highlight the natural beauty, ecological value, and human imprint on estuaries and coasts worldwide—and to promote the global vision of coastal sustainability, Future Earth Coasts (FEC), the “Mega-Delta Programme” of the UN Ocean Decade, and “CROSS Coastz” of the UN Science Decade are proud to jointly launch the “Coastal Visions” Global Coastal Photography Award.
We warmly invite photography enthusiasts, scientists, students, and citizens from around the world who care about estuaries and coasts to take part. Through your lens, share the diverse faces and compelling stories of our coasts.
Photography Themes
Entries should relate to one or more of the following themes:
- Coastal natural landscapes
- Coastal hazard and pollution
- Practices in sustainable coastal management
- Human–coast harmony and coexistence
- Documentation of scientific research, field sampling, community engagement, etc.
The geographical focus is global estuaries and coasts. Submissions highlighting the 25 major estuarine deltas under the Mega-Delta Programme (e.g., Yangtze, Yellow River, Pearl River, Nile, Mississippi; see Figure 1) are especially encouraged.
Figure 1: Global distribution of major deltas in the “Mega-Delta Programme”
Submission Requirements
- Format: Photographs
- Content: Authentic, original, and theme-based; must have strong visual impact or scientific/documentary value. Photos may be taken at any time (no time limit).
- File type: JPG digital files
- Editing: Basic adjustments (brightness, contrast, color) are acceptable. Composite images, stitching, or manipulations that alter the original content are not allowed.
- Description: Each entry must include：Author’s name, Date taken, Location, Description (50–200 words: background story, scientific significance, or personal reflection)
- Submission
- Email: [email protected]
- Email subject line: Name – Affiliation (if applicable) – Title of Work
- Submission period: September 10, 2025 – September 25, 2025
Awards and Exhibition
- Prizes:
– First Prize: 1–2 winners
– Second Prize: 2–3 winners
– Third Prize: 3–5 winners
– Special Recognition Awards: several - Winning works will be showcased at the 4th Mega-Delta Meeting: International Conference on Dialogue between Land and Sea (October 19–22, 2025, Shanghai).
- Selected entries will be promoted worldwide via the FEC official website, social media, and more.
- Winners will receive a certificate of honor and commemorative gifts.
- Outstanding contributors may be invited to participate in FEC international exchange events.
Background
Future Earth Coasts (FEC) is a global research network of Future Earth with nearly 40 years of history. It is dedicated to supporting healthy coasts and oceans for a just and environmentally sustainable future by promoting the deep integration of science and policy to advance the sustainable development of coastal zones.
The “Mega-Delta Programme”, one of FEC’s core working groups initiated by the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research at East China Normal University, has been endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). The programme brings together 39 institutions from 22 countries to collaboratively address the environmental and developmental challenges facing delta regions.
The programme “Connecting Rivers & Oceans for Sustainable Solutions in the Coastal Zone (CROSS Coastz),” led by the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research (SKLEC) at East China Normal University, has been officially recognized as one of the first endorsed initiatives of the UN Science Decade. It brings together over 120 experts from more than 40 institutions across six continents. The programme spans a wide range of interdisciplinary research fields, including hydro-sediment dynamics, sedimentary geomorphology, marine biogeochemistry, coastal wetland ecology, data informatics, and coastal engineering.
This event aims to connect science and the public through the power of imagery, showcase the value and resilience of coasts, and promote global coastal protection and sustainable development.
Learn More
- Future Earth Coasts: https://www.futureearthcoasts.org/
- UN Ocean Decade “Mega-Delta Programme”: https://delta.ecnu.edu.cn/
- UN Science Decade “CROSS Coastz”: https://www.un-sciences-decade.org/en/node/40
📷 Through your lens, the coast endures. We look forward to your submissions and to collectively shaping the future narrative of our coasts.
