2026 Edition

The sea level around Indonesia has been rising by an alarming 4 mm every year since 1992, a tangible consequence of climate change. Northern coastal cities have been the most rapidly and severely affected, compounded by tidal flooding that inundates villages with slowly receding water. Poorly planned urbanisation and infrastructure development also contribute to flooding in these low-lying areas. With over 80,000 kilometres of coastline, the more than 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia’s archipelago are under constant threat. Experts predict that by 2050, thousands of the country’s islands and nearly a third of Java, where the capital Jakarta stands today, will be underwater. Tidal surges, tsunamis and coastal erosion severely impact the environment and local economies, destroying property, livelihoods and displacing entire communities.

RUNNER-UP

10 mm f/4 Lens - 1/400 sec at f/4 ISO 400