Pangolins in Crisis: Brent Stirton, South Africa; 1st place, Natural world and wildlife. “Pangolins are the world’s most illegally trafficked mammals, with an estimated one million trafficked to Asia in the last 10 years. Their scales are used in traditional Chinese and Vietnamese medicine, and their meat is sold as a high-priced delicacy. As a result, pangolins are listed as critically endangered and anyone who trades or consumes them is breaking the law. This body of work exposes the trade, while exploring aspects of illegality and celebrating the people who are trying to save these animals”. (Photo by Brent Stirton/Sony World Photography Awards 2020)

Joseph Fons holding a Pride Flag, runs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building after the court ruled that a federal law banning workplace discrimination also covers sexual orientation, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 15, 2020. (Photo by Tom Brenner/Reuters)

A staff member of Yutian County poses for a video on marigold industry at an agricultural industrial park in Yutian County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, September 20, 2020. As one of the five counties in Hotan Prefecture that have not been lifted out of poverty, Yutian County is accelerating its steps to shake off poverty by planting marigold. (Photo by Chine Nouvelle/SIPA Press/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A woman looks at artwork called “Alphabetti Spaghetti” by British sculptor Alex Chinneck, one of a series of “knotted” postboxes, installed as part of a public art trail for Kensington & Chelsea Art Week on October 3, 2020. (Photo by Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images)

A worker puts up an advertising billboard for a recruiting company, featuring what resembles US President Donald Trump, in Zagreb, Croatia, Saturday, November 7, 2020. (Photo by Darko Bandic/AP Photo)

Women dance on top of a car as revelers enjoy spring break festivities despite an 8pm curfew imposed by local authorities, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S., March 20, 2021. (Photo by Marco Bello/Reuters)

A young woman poses for a selfie at Red Square which is under preparations for the Victory Parade during sunset in Moscow, Russia, Monday, April 26, 2021. Russia will celebrate celebrate 76 years of the victory in WWII on May 9, 2021. (Photo by Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP Photo)

People enjoying the second day of the Greenman Festival in South Wales, Crickhowell, United Kingdom on August 20, 2021. (Photo by Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans/Rex Features/Shutterstock)