2019 in the environment
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This is an article of notable issues relating to the environment in 2019. They relate to environmental law, conservation, environmentalism and environmental issues.
Christian Aid report December 2019 evaluated the costs of floods, fires and storms in 2019. Climate crisis was linked to at least 15 over 1 billion cost destructions in 2019.[1]
- Year 2019 was Australia's hottest and driest year on record (National Bureau of Meteorology)[2]
- Europe was 3.2 °C warmer in December 2019 than the standard reference period for December for 1981-2010 (The European Union's climate change monitoring agency, Copernicus)[3]
- 2019 was second hottest year on record for the planet's surface. The five years 2015-2019 and the decade 2010-2019 were the hottest in 150 years. High temperature increase severe storms, floods, droughts and wildfires.[4]
- The heat in the world's oceans reached a new record level in 2019. Oceans are clearest measure of climate crisis as they absorb 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases.[5]
Environmental issues
Plastic pollution
2019 was the year the worldwide revolt against Plastic pollution. Production and disposal of plastic used already nearly 14% of all the world's oil and gas. According to the International Energy Agency plastics annual carbon budget may become equivalent of the world's fifth largest climate heating country, emitting more than Germany or the UK. 359 m tonnes plastics were produced in 2018. Ca 8m tons plastic waste run to the sea via rivers. Since 2010 the petrochemical industry has invested about $200bn, and $100bn more is planned to be spent, plastic production is expected to grow 40% by 2030.[6]
Sixth mass extinction
Sixth mass extinction: According to the first global scientific review of insects in February 2019 found that more than 40% of insect species are declining and a third are endangered. The rate of extinction is eight times faster than that of mammals, birds and reptiles. The total mass of insects is falling by a precipitous 2.5% a year.[7]
In May 2019 was published biodiversity report, that pointed out the biodiversity to decline in threatening speed. It will be crisis to life of plants, animals and humans. IPBES reported that 25% of plant and animal species are threatened with extinction as the result of human activity.[8]
Microplastics
In January 2019, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed to restrict intentionally added microplastics.[9]
