From vaccine rollouts to unprecedented climate events, photographers documented the year’s triumphs and trials.
The year 2021 opened with high hopes as Covid-19 vaccines began rolling out globally, stirring optimism that the world might finally move beyond the pandemic. Yet as the months unfolded, it became clear that society was still grappling with the ongoing effects of the crisis and deeper societal issues.
Starting with the storming of the U.S. Capitol in January, the year progressed with political upheavals, record-breaking climate disasters, and the ongoing challenge of migration, which sparked intense debate. The emergence of the Omicron variant in December underscored the virus’s continued impact, propelling booster campaigns worldwide.
Throughout these pivotal moments, photographers captured the complexity, sorrow, and resilience that marked 2021. The Independent has compiled some of the year’s most powerful images from photojournalists, offering a visual chronicle of humanity’s endurance and vulnerability amid unprecedented times.