The escalating impacts of climate change globally led UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to declare on July 21, 2023, that we have transitioned from the era of global warming to a phase of “global boiling,” urging immediate action to reverse this trend. This declaration, echoed in the spirit of urgency, resonates with the theme of the 2023 SEARCA Photo Contest, calling for immediate action to address and reverse this environmental trend. A research study from the Annual Review of Environment and Resources (2012) revealed that food systems, responsible for 19–29% of global greenhouse gas emissions through methane and nitrous oxide, are adding strain to the agricultural sector. Fortunately, agriculture holds the key to addressing the climate crisis by embracing circular economy principles and adopting carbon farming methods, offering a solution from the farm to the family dinner table.

The 17th SEARCA Photo Contest (2023) invites Southeast Asian images under the theme “Regenerating Agri-ecosystems, Lowering Global Boiling.” The competition seeks visuals showcasing agricultural practices and technologies that alleviate strain on natural resources, combat climate change, and promote recycling or reusing byproducts to minimize waste. Optimal photo submissions would capture farmers, farming families, scientists, innovators, and youth utilizing technology and methods in various agricultural fields. The images can depict activities related to crop cultivation, livestock and animal husbandry, or fisheries experimentation and production within the agricultural sector.