NOAA's "Picture Climate Change" Student Photo Contest

A glimpse at climate change in the west through the lens of America's youth

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting smoky conditions along a beach on the Washington coast.

What does climate change mean to you?

To enhance NOAA's understanding of the diverse ways climate change impacts people and places across the western United States, the NOAA West Regional Collaboration Team asked students in grades 5 through 12 for photo submissions showcasing what climate change means to them. We challenged students to share their experiences and tell us their stories of how climate change has impacted them, their families, and their communities, all through a single photograph.

Our vision for this project and contest was to enhance the understanding of diverse climate experiences as seen through the lens of America's youth. We wanted this to be more than just a photo contest - it’s an opportunity for NOAA to see and hear from students about their climate change perspectives and experiences, and for those students to hear back from NOAA about what NOAA science, research, and projects we are conducting related to climate impacts the students are experiencing.

Follow the storymap below to read quotes from the winning students about why they took their photos, and read responses from NOAA experts to learn more about the climate work happening at NOAA.

Word cloud of themes in students' photographs. Larger words denote words most commonly used.

They answered. They responded. They showed us.

Students were asked to list a few keywords of themes they noticed in their image that relate to climate change and the impacts they experience in their communities. Common themes in these photos included drought, water, extreme heat, and wildfires. The winning photos shown below embody these themes and share impactful stories.

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting a dried rocky river bed in central California. — Winning photos of the "Picture Climate Change" Student Photo Contest, 2021-2022. Click on an individual photo to enlarge.

Winning Photos

We were blown away by the responses we received. The photos tell tales of drought, flood, fire, pollution, extreme heat or cold, and smoke. The students' quotes shared stories of evacuating during wildfires, of worries for species and their habitats, and how hard it is to breathe when wildfire smoke degrades air quality. We were in awe of the images of trees and forests, leaves, beaches, landscapes and seascapes, bees, jellyfish, bright city lights, construction zones, ditches, bridges and more. We felt the fear, the concern, the anger. Perhaps most importantly, we also felt hope. Students expressed a desire to work together to combat climate change, and a hope that we have time to tackle these big issues. Our own hope has grown because there are students in the world who are seeing climate change impacts and want to help.

Read below to hear why each of the winning student's took their photo and how different phenomena are affecting students, their local communities, and their future.

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Sofia, 10th grade

"The photo I took depicts how climate change has affected my community, with water levels. On an average year Monterey, California is recorded to have around 18 inches of rain. So far this year, with it being the beginning of December we have had around 7 inches of rain. The average amount of yearly rainfall for the United States is around 30 inches per year. California, more specifically Carmel, and Monterey have been experiencing very long seasons of droughts, not providing us with the correct amount of rainfall we need. The droughts we experience are from the main factor of climate change, with overall changes happening with our climates, water temperatures, jet streams, and landscapes. These droughts have impacted our various things in the community, such as dry terrain resulting in wildfires, destruction of ecosystems, and wildlife not being able to sustain."

Julia, 12th grade

"My image showcases smoke in the air caused by wildfires in California and Southern Oregon. I took this photo because the sky was so filled with smoke on a warm summer day when it would usually be clear and blue. Because of climate change creating extreme weather, wildfires have become much more common and intense. The smoke created by wildfires emits pollutants into the environment and causes air quality to decrease. During wildfire season, it becomes hard to breathe when the smoke is dense. Our community of Humboldt County suffers from this along with most of California. Fewer people go outside, especially those who have underlying respiratory health conditions because it becomes unsafe for them to be breathing the smoke filled air. I hope that the forests become restored to a better ecological function so that wildfires won't be as destructive. That way air quality doesn't continue to get worse and less people are hospitalized from respiratory conditions."

Claire, 7th grade

"In June 2021, there was a record-breaking heatwave in Seattle. Our city had only reached 100 degrees four times in 151 years, but last summer we had triple-digit heat for three days in a row. I took this photo of the scorched dahlia leaves in the garden next to our brick home to show the contrast between the emerald leaves Seattle is known for and the damage from the heat. I hope that Seattle and other cities can collaborate to reduce the effect of extreme heat in urban areas."

Yuye, 12th grade

"This picture is aimed to show extreme contrast. On the left side, it’s dark and depressing, and on the right side, it’s bright and vibrant. Yet, the two completely different atmospheres were at the same place, just on different ends of road. One is nature, and one is human construction. I took the picture because I found this scene ironic. And I want to show the change in this picture."

Sienna, 5th grade

"I chose this photo because it has to do with climate change. I noticed that in the background there is a dried out canal. I can tell that there used to be water in the canal and you used to drive your boat up to your house, but now, you can’t do that any more."

Dominic, 10th grade

"Me and my family were taking pictures up in a field but at this time there was really bad fire in our state and in some of the surrounding states and me my mom and my sis are really bad asthmatics and we were having a really hard time being up there."

NOAA's Response

More than just a photo contest

We wanted this to be more than just a photo contest - it’s an opportunity for NOAA to see and hear from students about their climate change perspectives and experiences, and for those students to hear back from NOAA about what NOAA science, research, and projects are being conducted in relation to the climate impacts the students are experiencing.

Below, NOAA scientists and experts react to the students' photos and share how they're working towards hope.

Wildfires & Smoke

The image shows what it’s been like living in the Western States over the past few years, where wildfires are commonplace. There are lots of bad fires where we live and work, too. We understand what it feels like to have difficulty breathing when there is wildfire smoke. Millions of people die from wildfire smoke and pollution each year, so it can be scary to breathe smoky air.

We view wildfire as a combination of two things: fuel and weather. There needs to be dry fuel available to burn, and the weather conditions need to be favorable – think windy, hot, and dry. Climate change has decreased precipitation , increased dry fuel available to burn, and led to more hot, windy, and dry days.

While the climate changes over months and years, weather happens faster. As a result, we are working on tools to identify fire-favorable weather conditions that help people prepare hours to weeks ahead. For example, one group of researchers developed a tool to use our current weather models to predict the chances of increased fire danger on two-week timescales . Another team developed a tool that uses the ‘thirst of the atmosphere’ to tell whether conditions on the ground tend toward increased fire risk . We are also working on an index to help us know when the risk for a wildfire might increase as the weather changes over a few hours or a few days.

Another area of fire weather research focuses on predicting where this dangerous smoke will travel. We figured out how to use satellite data to detect fires and map the fires to weather conditions and forecasts . We can predict how thick the smoke will be near the ground and where the winds might carry it across the U.S. Air quality experts use these forecasts to issue pollution alerts for people like you who might need to stay inside for a while.

- Mimi Hughes, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, Research Meteorologist in the Hydrometeorology Modeling and Applications Team

- Susan Cobb, CIRES & NOAA Global Systems Laboratory Meteorologist and Scientific Communications Lead

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting smoky conditions from wildfires in Colorado.

Smoke & Air Quality

This photo perfectly captures how a warm, sunny day at the beach can transform from blue skies to gray-orange as the smell of smoke overwhelms our noses. It’s amazing how a fire burning far away can dull a crystal-clear view.

As the photo shows, a typically crowded beach might be empty as wildland fires continue to alter our outdoor lifestyle. Living with smoke is becoming our new normal, even in communities never before impacted by fire.

Do you know that campfire smell? Well, it’s actually a unique mixture of gasses spewed out as wood burns. At NOAA, we want to understand what is in the smoke we breathe and how it impacts our air quality and climate .

We study smoke by flying airplanes through dense wildfire plumes and pulling smoke into specialized equipment. Doing so allows us to identify these unique gas and particle molecules that cause these odors, make our skies hazy and gray, and sometimes make it difficult to breathe. We also track how these molecules behave and interact with each other and sunlight to better understand smog formation that is harmful to our health.

Satellites help us “see” where smoke is traveling in all the different elevations of the atmosphere. We use this satellite information and other information, such as knowledge of gasses and particles in the atmosphere and wind forecasts, to create smoke models. Smoke models help forecast where and how far smoke is likely to travel.

NOAA is responsible for informing decision-makers and the public about air quality and when it will negatively impact an area. NOAA uses information from models, combined with information and data from local, state, and federal officials, to provide public Air Quality Alerts.

- Andrea Bair, Climate Services Program Manager, NOAA National Weather Service, Western Region

- Chelsea Stockwell, Research Scientist II, NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Extreme Heat

The first thing that jumps out in this photo is the contrast between the plant's healthy and dying parts. The fringes of the leaf are like the vulnerable people in our communities. They can be impacted by changes in the weather and climate more easily because they have greater exposure.

The branches and stems tend to be more protected, similar to parts of the community that have greater resilience. However, that doesn’t make the community immune. The plant needs the leaves to draw energy from the sun. If the leaves die, the plant dies. It’s a reminder that we need to focus on the more vulnerable parts of our community to ensure the community remains strong.

At the NOAA National Weather Service, we work with our partners to reduce the impacts of weather and climate events among the more vulnerable in our communities. For us in the Phoenix office, that means focusing on Extreme Heat.

Unfortunately, every year hundreds of people die, and thousands become ill due to extreme heat in the Phoenix area. As the climate has continued to warm due to broader-scale climate change and localized urban heat island effects, these impacts have only worsened.

Many cities around the world will experience never-before-seen weather. Will rare weather events become the new normal?

At NOAA’s Physical Science Laboratory, we work to understand the weather patterns that can bring extreme conditions to our communities and how these patterns will change in the future. Our science provides valuable information to our communities in preparation for the short and long-term consequences of climate change.

- Dr. Annareli Morales, CIRES Research Scientist, NOAA Physical Science Laboratory

- Paul Iñiguez, Meteorologist, NOAA National Weather Service, Phoenix, AZ

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting a wilted leaf due to extreme heat in Washington.

Drought

This image captures how climate variability and change have shaped the environment in Salton City, California. The ground is mostly bare, and there are few trees because of the heat and lack of precipitation. When precipitation falls, the water runs off into lakes and canals like the one in this picture and creates striations in the sun-baked soil. The trees have likely undergone severe stress because of a lack of precipitation and hot temperatures.

Salton City is an arid location where summertime temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We measure less than three inches of precipitation each year on average. But even a dry environment can experience drought. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Salton City has been continuously in drought since 2020 and mostly in drought for the last 20 years. These conditions occur due to rising temperatures caused by climate change. Some scientists refer to this long-term drought as a “ megadrought .” The warming climate has increased the risk of intense megadroughts in Salton City and the American Southwest. Efforts to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere can make their impacts less damaging.

- Adam Lang, Communications Coordinator, CIRES & NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System

I am a Research Meteorologist at the NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory in Boulder, Colorado, who focuses on hydroclimate and its application to food and water security. My colleagues and I investigate the physical mechanisms of droughts across the globe, their predictability, and whether they are projected to change due to human influences. Related to arid environments like this one, we examine if anthropogenic influences are likely to make them hotter and drier and, therefore, less suitable for humans to live in. You can find an example of our work in the Southwest United States at the link below.

Record Low North American Monsoon Rainfall in 2020 Reignites Drought over the American Southwest (2022)

- Andy Hoell, Research Meteorologist, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting an arid dirt river bed in southern California.

Drought

The dry creek bed in this amazing photo is an unfortunate indicator of the extended drought gripping California, affecting millions of people and businesses. California is in its third consecutive year of exceptional drought conditions. Recent research indicates that we are experiencing the greatest drought in the last several hundred years. The drought impacts include water supply scarcity, agricultural failures, wildfires, and collapsing ecosystems.

This dry streambed in California shows the most elemental linkage between the atmosphere and the water system. Ephemeral streams flow into larger streams, which flow into rivers, which flow into lakes, or the ocean. Drought affects the communities, flora, and fauna that rely on the water network.

At NOAA, I spend a lot of time looking at rainfall, snowpack, streamflow, and temperature measurements. Then I work with researchers and forecasters to put our current drought conditions into a historical and future context. In other words, we try to answer the questions, “how bad is it?” and “will it get better or worse?”

We spend time listening to those across the West who manage agriculture, water supplies, forests, and energy systems. If we can understand how these folks deal with drought, we can find the best ways to share our information about drought.

Through these essential relationships, scientists at NOAA and our partner organizations help individuals and communities cope with and plan for drought, both now and in the future.

- Joe Casola, Western Regional Climate Services Director, NOAA, National Centers for Environmental Information

Drought doesn’t just affect areas in the southwestern United States. Any place that records a substantial precipitation deficit will feel the impacts in a variety of ways.

The concept of drought is an emerging topic in Alaska, where I work. For example, a prolonged drought in southeast Alaska from 2017 to 2019 severely affected some hydropower operations. Although we measured 100 inches of precipitation, these locations typically average over 150 inches per year. The dramatic deficit halved the power of the generators, which could no longer generate electricity.

Elsewhere around the state, drought impacts wildfire ecology, invasive species, salmon productivity, and community water supplies. As the planet warms, we are racing to understand the impacts of drought in Alaska and prepare for a world where future droughts are more intense and cause more disruptions.

- Brian Brettschneider, Climate Scientist, NOAA National Weather Service, Alaska Region

Climate & Society

The photo’s stark contrast appears to offer a choice between two futures. The left choice is dark and stormy, at increased risk of local floods and urban heat islands. The right choice is natural, enveloping us in nature's warm and vivid colors. Orange barricades nudge us away from the left, warning, “don’t choose this side!

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and changing natural lands increases carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. This buildup acts like a blanket that traps heat around the world, disrupting the climate.

Tackling greenhouse gases requires international efforts. And local activities, including development and oil spills, can worsen conditions. But we can manage and respond to these non-climate stressors if we consider the climate in our decisions.

For example, NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary off the remote Washington coast faces significant climate-related challenges, including heatwaves, hypoxia, and increasing ocean acidification. The sanctuary monitors and studies those impacts. But also, we are looking at ways to address non-climate stressors like vessel traffic, ocean sound, discharges affecting water quality, permitting decisions, and more. Informed management of natural areas can serve as bright spots like the right side of the photo.

- LuAnn Dahlman, Editor, U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit

- Katie Wrubel, Resource Protection Specialist, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Winning photo of the student photo contest depicting the contrast between nature and construction, reflecting anthropogenic impacts of climate change in Kansas.

Student Photo Submissions

We received a lot of impactful submissions, and were inspired by the stories and experiences students shared with us. Each story lends a unique perspective into the impacts of climate change on America's youth. Most importantly, we want these students to know that they're not alone, and that they are heard. Below are some examples of the other amazing submissions we received.

Photo contest entry depicting the reflection of a sunset onto water in a canal. — 12 additional photo entries of the Picture Climate Change Student Photo Contest, 2021-2022. Click on an individual photo to enlarge.

Photo contest entry depicting a frozen-over lake with broken ice. — 12 additional photo entries of the Picture Climate Change Student Photo Contest, 2021-2022. Click on an individual photo to enlarge.

Explore the impactful photos of other student photo submissions below.

Student Photo Submissions

Click on each map marker to see the students' photos and read their stories about how climate change has impacted them and their community.

We challenge you to continue to observe climate change in your world and share your story - with or without a camera! We hope you continue to be curious about science and the ways it impacts and affects your community. It’s through observations like these that we can all work towards being the best stewards of our environments.

NOAA Live Event

As part of this NOAA West Leadership Program capstone project and photo contest, the team wanted to validate and interact with students, and provide them with hope. The winning images were celebrated during a NOAA Live! event on April 12th, 2022 in a forum where NOAA employees connected NOAA climate science and expertise to the climate change experiences of these student photographers.

Watch the NOAA Live! event recording below:

NOAA Live! 110-Picture Climate Change-A glimpse at climate change through the lens of American youth

NOAA in Your Backyard

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or “NOAA,” is an agency that enriches life through science. Its work goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as its work to keep citizens informed of the changing environment around them.

NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources as the Nation’s authoritative environmental intelligence agency.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is made up of many different program offices, including:

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service - provides secure and timely access to global environmental data and information from satellites and other sources to promote and protect the nation's security, environment, economy, and quality of life.

National Marine Fisheries Service - provides stewardship of the nation's ocean resources and their habitat, all backed by sound science and an ecosystem-based approach.

National Ocean Service - provides data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy.

National Weather Service - provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

Office of Marine & Aviation Operations - protects environmental security through intelligence and stewardship while optimizing NOAA's observational platforms and unique workforce capabilities to meet NOAA's science, service, and stewardship missions.

Office of Oceanic & Atmospheric Research - conducts research to understand and predict the Earth system; develops technology to improve NOAA science, service, and stewardship; and transitions the results so they are useful to society.

Click here for a comprehensive list of NOAA in your state or territory.

Here are some of the NOAA Offices near you:

NOAA Offices across the United States. *Please note this is not a comprehensive list of all NOAA offices.