Breathtaking photos show effects of climate change | CNN

The "Climate Change -- In Focus" exhibition shows the effects of climate change. <br />Pictured: A solitary bear sits on the edge of one of the Barter Islands, Alaska. There is no snow, when at this time of year, there should be," wrote photographer Patty Waymire. <em>Via National Geographic </em><a href="http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank"><em>Your Shot</em></a>

No snow, no ice? —

The "Climate Change -- In Focus" exhibition shows the effects of climate change.
Pictured: A solitary bear sits on the edge of one of the Barter Islands, Alaska. There is no snow, when at this time of year, there should be," wrote photographer Patty Waymire. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Patty Waymire/National Geographic Your Shot

The exhibition shows the best 100 photographs from a global competition.<br />"On a recent trip to Indonesia we were saddened to see the huge number of bleached anemones. We expected to see some coral bleaching, but we were surprised by how many anemones were also becoming victims to rising ocean temperatures," wrote photographer Diana Paboojian. <em>Via National Geographic Your Shot</em>

A dying home —

The exhibition shows the best 100 photographs from a global competition.
"On a recent trip to Indonesia we were saddened to see the huge number of bleached anemones. We expected to see some coral bleaching, but we were surprised by how many anemones were also becoming victims to rising ocean temperatures," wrote photographer Diana Paboojian. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Diana Paboojian/National Geographic Your Shot

Photo: Kira Morris. A group of emperor penguins faces a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica. <em>Via National Geographic Your Shot</em>

Emperors at the edge in Antarctica —

Photo: Kira Morris. A group of emperor penguins faces a crack in the sea ice, near McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Kira Morris/National Geographic Your Shot

Desperation —

Photo: Jetje Japhet, South Africa. "These animals have found the secret stash of the orange farmer who dumps the oranges that have fallen from his trees at least 7km away from the orchards to control the breeding of fruit fly. It is the end of a long, dry, winter exacerbated by global warming which makes the winters longer and drier and the summers hotter with less rain in an already dry climate. These animals then behave totally out of character with baboons and warthog still feeding after dark," wrote Japhet. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Jetje Japhet/National Geographic Your Shot

A seal lies near among massive cracks in the sea ice near Ross Island, Antarctica. Photo: Kira Morris, Antarctica.<em> </em><em>Via National Geographic Your Shot</em>

Seal on cracking ice —

A seal lies near among massive cracks in the sea ice near Ross Island, Antarctica. Photo: Kira Morris, Antarctica. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Kira Morris/National Geographic Your Shot

Climate survivor —

Photo: Probal Rashid. "A flood-affected woman on a raft approaches a boat, searching a dry place to shelter herself in Islampur, Jamalpur, Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change," wrote Rashid. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Probal Rashid/National Geographic Your Shot

One to five —

Photo: Vladimir Melnik, Russia: "I was in expedition exploring Franz Josef Land archipelago. There was a polar station where people brought dogs as guards against polar bears. The summer is difficult time for bears. In recent years warming in Arctic resulted in loss of sea ice which is critically important for bears as they can hunt only from ice. The bears which stay on the islands doomed to meager ration and go to human settlements," wrote Melnik. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Vladimir Melnik/National Geographic Your Shot

Cracked —

Photo: Ujjal Das, India: "The pic was taken in Puruliya District of West Bengal. This is a drought-prone area and in summertime the whole district becomes dry creating water problem." Via National Geographic Your Shot

Ujjal Das/National Geographic Your Shot

Running out of water —

Matuf Ikhsan, Indonesia: "In Gers, France, an irrigation reservoir supplies water to a monocultural field. Here the economy revolves mainly around culinary tourism."

Mahtuf Ikhsan

In search of green —

Riddhima Singh Bhati, India: "This part of Rajasthan is badly affected by intense heat waves and dryness because of decreased precipitation. The anticipated rise in temperature due to climate change poses formidable challenge to development of livestock in India."

Riddhima Singh Bathi

Flood in Chitral —

Photo by Hira Ali, Pakistan: "The picture shows a flooding in the mountainous area of Chitral, in the north of Pakistan. There are many glaciers high in the mountain. Due to climate change, for the past two years there has been a lot of flooding and destruction."

Hira Ali

Disappearing stars —

Photo: Leung Ka Wa, China: "A visible aspect of climate change is the turbidity in the air. It can be caused by particulates caused by combustion products. The turbid air decreases visibility so it is harder to see the stars in urban areas."

Ka Wa Leung

Icelandic Glaciers disappearing fast —

Photo: Tom Schifanella, USA: "Since 2000, Icelandic glaciers have lost 12% of their size, in less than 15 years. Pictured here, Icelandic guide Hanna Pétursdóttir admires an ice cave inside the Svínafellsjökull Glacier, which she notes is rapidly expanding due to the effects of global warming," wrote Schifanella. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Tom Schifanella/National Geographic Your Shot

Tonle Sap 8 —

Photo: Stuart Chape, Samoa: "This aerial view of the Chong Kneas floating village on Tonle Sap lake, Cambodia, demonstrates just how threatened the great lake is from changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures." Via National Geographic Your Shot

Stuart Chape/National Geographic Your Shot

Pollution —

Photo: Long Yat Chau, Hong Kong: "Air pollution, particularly in the form of waste gas from generating stations, is a serious problem in Hong Kong."

Long Yat Chau

How much further out? —

Photo: Ryan Lai, Hong Kong: "Piles of solid waste lie behind a perfectly-framed photograph of spectacular scenery."

Ryan Lai

Foreshadow —

Photo: Felicia Hou, USA: "It is almost as if Mother Nature is sending us a warning that if we do not stop destroying the planet now, there may not be one to destroy in the future."

Felicia Hou

Life and Death —

Photo: Vadim Balakin, Russia: "These polar bear remains have been discovered at one of the islands of Northern Svalbard, Norway. While it is not certain whether the polar bear died from starvation or old age, the good condition of its teeth indicate that it is most likely from starvation," wrote Balakin. Via National Geographic Your Shot

Vadim Balakin/National Geographic Your Shot

This is what climate change looks like

Story highlights

Photo exhibition highlights threats to environment

United Nations Climate Change Conference taking place in Marrakech, Morocco

CNN —

A photo exhibition is showing the effects of climate change to world leaders and climate change experts.

Entitled “Climate Change – In Focus,” it shows the best 100 photographs from a global competition and it’s currently on display at the United Nations’ COP22 climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, where it will be seen by attendees who have come from all over the world.

While it was also open to adults, the competition aimed to showcase the images and views of young people.

The project was created by award-winning photographer Henry Dallal, who curated an exhibition from master photographers at COP21 in Paris.

Speaking with CNN at COP22, Dallal said: “You’ve got global leaders, press, NGOs all coming here, but the youth don’t have a voice.”

“And I thought, in today’s world everyone has a camera in their mobile phone, and to take a picture you don’t have to be a professional, anyone can do it.”

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The exhibition was curated by the Lucie Foundation for ages seven to 13, and by National Geographic for ages 13 and up, through the Your Shot, National Geographic’s online photo community.

All skill levels were represented, from semi-professional photographers to people using their smartphones.