Photography Drives Conservation: CNN’s Earth Call to Action Editorial Series Showcases Winning Images from World Nature Photography Awards

CNN’s Call to Earth editorial series, in partnership with Rolex’s Perpetual Planet initiative, aims to raise awareness and educate the public on environmental challenges and solutions. The series features captivating photographs that inspire positive action towards a sustainable future.

Recently, a photograph of two gannets fighting for a fish in the waters near Scotland’s Shetland Islands won first prize at the World Nature Photography Awards. Taken by Tracey Lund from the UK, this image was chosen from among numerous submissions to receive the $1,000 prize. Lund captured the shot from a boat using a DSLR camera in waterproof housing while on holiday.

Lund describes the scene as “an unbelievable spectacle” to witness and photograph, with thousands of gannets diving into the sea after locally caught fish. The awards featured categories such as animal portraits, plants and fungi, and invertebrate, amphibian, and reptile behavior. In the Planet Earth’s landscapes and environments category, Ivan Pedretti of Italy won with a magical photo of winter in Stokksnes, Iceland, featuring “The beach with its black sand and the majestic mountain called Vestrahorn.”

Pedretti shared his appreciation for the contrast of colors in the landscape, saying “I love the contrast in colors between the white mountains and the black dunes with yellow grass.” The World Nature Photography Awards launched in 2020 aim to promote photography and contribute to environmental causes by planting a tree for each entry into the competition. According to their website, photography can influence people to see the world differently and change their habits for