2019 Climate & Environment Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2019 Climate & Environment Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Jan Tropical Storm Pabuk Hits Thailand: Thailand experienced its worst storm in 30 years as Tropical Storm Pabuk made landfall on the country's east coast, causing significant potential for environmental and infrastructural damage.
- 13 Jan The Guardian switches to biodegradable packaging: On January 13, 2019, The Guardian newspaper announced it would switch to biodegradable packaging for its print editions. The move aimed to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and was part of a broader initiative to promote sustainability in the media industry. source: theguardian.com
- 24 Jan Extensive Temperature Records Broken in South Australia: Seventeen temperature records were broken across South Australia, including the unprecedented high of 46.6°C in Adelaide, underscoring the severity of the heatwave and potential climate change impacts.
- 01 Feb Australia's record-breaking heat: Australia experienced unprecedented heatwaves, setting new temperature records and raising concerns about climate change impacts. source: theguardian.com
- 05 Feb Bushfires Damage Homes in Nelson, New Zealand: Uncontrolled bushfires near Nelson, New Zealand caused significant property damage, highlighting the ongoing environmental challenges faced by the region.
- 06 Feb Colombia Bans Recreational Hunting: The Constitutional Court of Colombia made a historic decision to ban recreational hunting, citing significant environmental protection concerns and marking a landmark moment in wildlife conservation.
- 17 Feb Tragic Landslide Claims Children's Lives in Brazil: A devastating landslide in Maua, Sao Paulo, Brazil, resulted in the tragic deaths of four children, underscoring the region's environmental vulnerabilities.
- 26 Feb UK Experiences Record Winter Temperature: The United Kingdom recorded its highest-ever winter temperature of 21.2°C (70.2°F) at Kew Gardens in London, highlighting potential climate change impacts.
- 01 Mar Oil Pipeline Explosion in Bayelsa, Nigeria: A leaking oil pipeline exploded in Bayelsa, Nigeria, causing a dangerous stampede. Over 50 people were reported missing, highlighting the environmental and human risks associated with oil infrastructure failures in the Niger Delta region.
- 14 Apr Seychelles President Delivers Underwater Climate Speech: On April 14, 2019, Seychelles President Danny Faure made history by delivering the first-ever live speech from a submersible, passionately advocating for enhanced marine protection and drawing global attention to environmental conservation.
- 24 Apr Wildfires in Norway Exceed Seasonal Averages: Significant wildfires erupted in Sokndal, Norway, destroying approximately 7.5 square kilometers (2.9 sq. mi) of land. The European Union Forest Fire Information System reported that the fires were substantially above the typical seasonal levels, raising concerns about changing environmental conditions.
- 07 May Environmental Lawsuit Against US Forest Service: Multiple environmental groups filed a lawsuit to prevent the US Forest Service from opening large sections of the Tongass National Forest to logging, citing potential environmental damage.
- 11 May Oil Spillage Emergency in Solomon Islands: Government officials in the Solomon Islands were engaged in a challenging rescue operation to address a significant oil spillage, emphasizing the environmental risks faced by maritime nations.
- 15 May UN warns Pacific islands about climate change: On May 15, 2019, the United Nations issued a warning to Pacific island nations about the severe impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels and extreme weather events. The UN emphasized the urgent need for these nations to take action to mitigate and adapt to these changes. source: un.org
- 20 May Whole Foods Eliminates Plastic Straws: Whole Foods Market announced a significant environmental initiative to remove disposable plastic straws from all its stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, effective July 2019.
- 04 Jun Carnival Corporation Environmental Fine: Carnival Corporation & PLC, a British-American cruise operator, was fined $20 Million for significant environmental violations, highlighting growing corporate accountability for ecological damage.
- 19 Jun Indian Water Crisis: Severe drought and groundwater depletion are causing critical water shortages for millions of people in southeast India, highlighting the region's escalating environmental challenges.
- 26 Jun Extreme Heatwave in Western and Central Europe: Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic experienced record-breaking June temperatures during an intense heatwave. Temperatures reached up to 38.6°C in Germany, highlighting growing concerns about climate change.
- 01 Jul New Zealand Bans Single-Use Plastic Bags: New Zealand implemented a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic shopping bags, with businesses facing potential fines up to $100,000 NZD for non-compliance, demonstrating a strong environmental policy.
- 11 Jul Tropical Storm Barry Emergency: Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Barry, which caused unprecedented rainfall across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, posing significant environmental and safety challenges.
- 20 Jul Record-Breaking Temperature in Colorado: On July 20, 2019, Colorado experienced an unprecedented state record temperature of 115°F (46.1°C) at John Martin Dam, underscoring the increasing intensity of heat waves potentially linked to climate change.
- 24 Jul Record-Breaking European Heatwave: Unprecedented temperatures are recorded across Western Europe, with Germany experiencing 40.5°C (104.9°F), the Netherlands reaching 39.2°C (102.5°F), and Belgium hitting 38.9°C (102.0°F), highlighting the intensifying climate crisis.
- 25 Jul European heat wave breaks national temperature records: In late July 2019, Europe experienced a severe heat wave, with several countries reporting record-breaking temperatures. The heat wave led to health warnings and concerns over climate change impacts. source: bbc.com
- 06 Aug Global water crisis: quarter of humanity facing water scarcity: On August 6, 2019, reports indicated that a quarter of the global population was facing severe water scarcity. The crisis was attributed to climate change, population growth, and mismanagement of water resources, prompting calls for urgent action to address the issue. source: un.org
- 13 Aug Indigenous Brazilian Women's Health and Environmental Protest: Over a thousand Indigenous women from more than 100 ethnic groups marched in Brasília, occupying the Ministry of Health's Indigenous Health Secretariat headquarters. They protested against proposed health system privatization and demanded stronger environmental protections.
- 14 Aug Russian Authorities Evacuate Village Near Nuclear Accident Site: Following a deadly nuclear accident that claimed seven lives, Russian authorities ordered the evacuation of the nearest village. This precautionary measure underscored the potential environmental and health risks associated with the incident.
- 16 Aug EPA Reverses Approval of Wildlife Cyanide Traps: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rescinded its previous approval of controversial cyanide bombs used for wildlife population control, responding to environmental and animal welfare concerns.
- 18 Aug Funeral for Okjökull Glacier: A climate change milestone: On August 18, 2019, Iceland held a ceremony to mark the loss of Okjökull Glacier, the first Icelandic glacier to be officially declared dead due to climate change. Scientists and officials gathered to honor the glacier, which had been shrinking for decades, and to raise awareness about the impacts of global warming. A plaque was unveiled, bearing a message to future generations about the consequences of environmental neglect. source: bbc.com
- 22 Aug Record-Breaking Amazon Rainforest Fires Alarm Researchers: In August 2019, the Amazon rainforest experienced a record number of fires, with over 72,000 detected between January and August, marking an 84% increase from the previous year. This surge led to significant environmental concerns and international attention. source: cnbc.com
- 28 Aug Iceland Holds Funeral for First Climate Change Glacier Loss: A symbolic funeral was held for Okjökull glacier, marking the first Icelandic glacier officially declared 'dead' due to climate change, serving as a powerful environmental statement about global warming's impact.
- 19 Sep Significant bird population decline in North America: On September 19, 2019, a study revealed a significant decline in bird populations across North America, indicating environmental concerns. source: nytimes.com
- 03 Oct Record-Breaking October Heat Wave Sweeps Across United States: An unprecedented heat wave struck the eastern United States, shattering temperature records. Washington, D.C. experienced a scorching 98 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassing the previous record of 96 degrees set 78 years earlier, highlighting potential climate change impacts.
- 08 Oct Extinction Rebellion Protests at Irish Parliament: Approximately 200 Extinction Rebellion activists staged a protest by blocking the gates of Leinster House (Ireland's parliament), drawing attention to climate change and environmental concerns. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 28 Oct Deadly Landslide in Cameroon: Heavy rains triggered a catastrophic landslide in Bafoussam, Cameroon, burying at least 42 people and highlighting the region's environmental and geological risks.
- 02 Nov UK Halts Hydraulic Fracturing: The United Kingdom imposed an immediate moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking), signaling a significant policy shift in response to environmental concerns and potential seismic risks associated with the practice.
- 29 Nov European Parliament Declares Climate Emergency: The European Parliament formally declared a 'climate emergency', signaling an urgent call for comprehensive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change impacts. This declaration represents a significant political statement highlighting the growing global concern about environmental challenges.
- 15 Dec UN Climate Talks conclude in Madrid: The 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP25) concluded in Madrid on December 15, 2019, without reaching an agreement on global carbon markets, postponing key decisions to the next summit in Glasgow. source: abc.net.au
What happened in 2019?
Discover what the world looked like in 2019: