Friends of the Earth Malta (FoE) is launching an international photographic exhibition and competition on the effects of climate change.

The theme is 'Climate change: The change is already here'. A maximum of 20 photos will be featured in the exhibition, which will be moved around three locations in the Maltese Islands. The exhibition is part of an awareness raising campaign that FoE is participating in together with 16 FoE groups across Europe.

This is the Big Ask campaign. European FoE groups are calling on their governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The organisation is looking for photos that illustrate the effects of climate change already influencing natural processes on our planet; affecting the lives of millions of people, disrupting animal habitats and eco-systems.

Photos should capture what is being changed, damaged and lost both in the natural and human world. The organisation is looking for photos that show human beings as an integral part of the impact of climate change (ice-melting, flooding, desertification, and drought are examples).

The competition is open to anyone over 18 years of age from all across the world. Young people are particularly encouraged to participate. The deadline for entries is August 9, 2009. Photographs submitted beyond this date will not be accepted. Each participant may submit a maximum of three photographs.

The panel of judges in Malta will include a scientist, an environmentalist and a professional photographer. The chosen photos will be exhibited in the three locations in Malta. Photographs submitted to the exhibition may be used for FoE Malta's publications.

The first and second runners-up will also receive book prizes.

For more details on photo submission and prizes contact Christian Debono on photo.foemalta@gmail.com