Winning entry in the 17-18 year old category of the Our Climate, Our Future photography prize. Teenagers look out towards Matautu blended with faded image of a nature walk. Samoa 2024 Photo: Epifania Ada Te Nahera Ulberg/Commonwealth Foundation
Four young Samoan photographers have won a landmark climate photography prize.
The competition was sponsored by the Commonwealth Foundation for 15 to 18 year olds to showcase climate action and resilience ahead of the heads of government meeting in Apia.
Its the first time the event has been held on a Pacific island with the winners announced in a ceremony on Tuesday.
The winner in the 15-16 year old's category was Lomam Poe (16) With this photo of a girl collecting plastic waste, taken at
Mulinuu ocean.
Winning entry in the 15-16 year olds category of the Our Climate, Our Future photography competition. Girl collecting plastic waste taken at Mulinuu, Samoa 2024 Photo: Lomam Poe/Commonwealth Foundation
"I took this to show that there is a right way of reducing littering. In the photo is also an ad that says "oute
le fia ai uga" which means our littering has affected our seafood. It's important to me to show that we
should stop littering and affecting our oceans and marine ecosystem," Lomam Poe said.
In the 17-18 year old's category the winner was Epifania Ada Te Anahera Ulberg (18) with this photo of group of teenagers looking out towards the Port of Matautu, blended with a faded picture of a nature walk.
"This image of Samoan teenagers on a nature walk looking at industry represents hope and dreams for
the future alongside our fears towards the impact of climate change in our communities," Epifania Ada Te Anahera Ulberg said.
"With trees being cut and replaced with buildings, we're worried our cry for help won't be heard. It's important to
protect and preserve the beauty of our environment for future generations."
Pacific Way winner in the Our Climate, Our Future photography competition. Boy cutting and grating a coconut or "sali le popo". Samoa 2024 Photo: Uale Omar Tofilau/Commonwealth Foundation
The Pacific Way category winner was Uale Omar Tofilau (18) with this photo of a boy cutting/grating the coconut or "sali le popo".
"The process of "sali le popo" or grating the coconut is a significant part of Samoan life. It requires effort and persistence, much like young Samoans' achieving goals and aspirations," Uale Omoar Tofilau said.
"As coconut products are shared with whole communities, "Sali le popo" represents the hope that future success will uplift entire
families and whole communities,' Uale Omar Tofilau said.
The People's Choice winner was Onosaiimeatiga Angie Numia (16) with this photo fo a crying child(Nini at the clean-up day, July 2024.
'This photo captures the reality that young generations face - the loss of nature, of their identity. What we do today will shape the world for those who come after us,' Onosaiimeatiga Angie Numia said.
You can find out more about the Commonwealth Foundation photography prize and view the rest of the submissions here.
People's choice winner at the Our Climate, Our Future photography competition. Samoa 2024 Photo: Onosaiimeatiga Angie Numia
The Commonwealth Foundation is the organisation's agency for civil society. It aims to amplify the issues that matter to 2.7 billion
Commonwealth citizens. And to strengthen people's participation in all aspects of public dialogue to promote equal, just and inclusive societies across the Commonwealth's 56 Member States.
