A group of experts in Tokyo suggested pouring radioactive water from Fukushima into the open sea. A marine biochemist explains the consequences of this absurd decision.
Oceans
2016 seen through the eyes of the planet. LifeGate’s year in review
Some of the most significant news stories of the year. From the Paris Agreement to the Colombian peace deal, here’s our 2016 in review: the last 12 months seen through the lens of sustainability.
By Lorenzo Brenna, Rudi Bressa and Mara Budgen
“A difficult year”, “A horrible year”, “Worst. Year. Ever”. These are just some of the words used by the international press to describe 2016. “It was tempting to view the year as a freak surge of ahistorical exceptionalism,” writes Decca Aitkenhead on the Guardian, yet, “There was nothing magical or inexplicable about 2016”. Yes, during its course the conflicts in Syria and Iraq as well as the refugee crisis didn’t come to an end, the world was hit by terrorist attacks like the one in Brussels, and millions voted in favour of Brexit and Trump’s election. However, these aren’t anomalous facts but the consequences of choices we as a global community have made over the course of history.
The world is in our hands. If we really think 2016 was an annus horribilis (a horrible year), this should encourage us to commit to, demand and fight for a better 2017. Starting from the environment. The protection of nature and the health of our planet is at the heart of our mission – as is safeguarding human lives and rights, inextricably linked to environmental issues. Here are some of the news items that most characterised 2016 from the point of view of our commitments and values. Some positive, some negative, others open to interpretation. Stories we’ve told tirelessly bringing you news from the world of sustainability.
Environment
A huge win for the Sioux: the Dakota Access Pipeline has been blocked
Brazil does a U-turn on fracking. Indigenous lands protected from oil and gas exploration
China, two disabled friends plant 10,000 trees to sow the seeds of a better future
The ozone hole is shrinking. The planet’s biggest wound is on the road to recovery
Society
Colombia, the peace deal between the FARC and government explained
Juan Manuel Santos wins the Nobel Peace Prize 2016
Bob Dylan wins the Nobel Prize in Literature 2016
Bayer acquires Monsanto for 66 billion dollars
Australia. 52,000 hectares of land returned to Larrakia Aboriginals
Climate
The Paris Agreement enters into force
What it means to live in a world with CO2 concentrations above 400 ppm
August 2016 was the hottest month recorded in the last 136 years
The first mammal has become extinct due to climate change
Renewables
Costa Rica has used 100% renewable energy for 150 days in a row, so far
Portugal ran entirely on renewable energy for four consecutive days
Solar Impulse 2 completes round-the-world trip thanks to the sole power of the sun
Biodiversity
The Earth has lost 58% of its wildlife in the past 40 years
Global wild tiger populations are on the rise for the first time in 100 years
Australia, one third of the Great Barrier Reef has died
The giant panda is no longer endangered
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The decline in grey and humpback whales in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans has been traced to food shortages caused by rising ocean temperatures.
The United Nations has launched a major international alliance for ocean science, undertaking a mission close to all our hearts.
The cargo ship that ran aground off the coast of Mauritius on 25 July, causing incalculable damage, has split in two and its captain has been arrested.
The largest coral reef in the world is severely threatened by climate change, but researchers are developing strategies that could contribute to saving the Great Barrier Reef.
Seychelles have extended its marine protected area, which now covers over 400,000 square kilometres, an area larger than Germany.
Norwegian oil giant Equinor had pulled out of drilling for oil in the Great Australian Bight, one of the country’s most uncontaminated areas. A victory for activists and surfers who are now campaigning for the area to be protected forever.
30 per cent of the planet needs to be protected to stop precipitous species decline. The UN has set out its aims for the the COP15 on biodiversity scheduled for Kunming, China in October.
Ocean warming has risen to record highs over the last five years: just in 2019 the heat released into the world’s oceans was equivalent to that of 5-6 atomic bombs per second. The culprit, no doubt, is climate change.