2019 in climate change

20191231 Vital signs of the planet - NASA - climate change

2019 in climate change refers to significant environmental, political, and scientific developments and events related to climate change during the year 2019. This year marked a pivotal point in global awareness and action against climate change, with numerous high-profile events, reports, and movements gaining attention worldwide.

Global Climate Strikes

One of the most notable events of 2019 was the series of global climate strikes inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg's solo protest outside the Swedish parliament in 2018 sparked a worldwide movement, culminating in millions of people, especially young students, participating in strikes around the world. The Global Climate Strike in September 2019 was one of the largest environmental protests in history, with an estimated 6 million people participating across the globe.

United Nations Climate Action Summit

The United Nations Climate Action Summit was held in September 2019, where world leaders, businesses, and civil society came together to discuss and enhance commitments towards the Paris Agreement. The summit was notable for the absence of key world leaders from major emitting countries and for the passionate speech delivered by Greta Thunberg, criticizing world leaders for their inaction.

Scientific Reports and Findings

Several significant scientific reports were published in 2019, highlighting the urgent need for action against climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report on the ocean and cryosphere, detailing the profound changes and risks to these ecosystems under climate change. Another report by the IPCC focused on climate change and land, emphasizing the impact of climate change on land degradation, food security, and land use.

Extreme Weather Events

2019 witnessed numerous extreme weather events that were attributed to or exacerbated by climate change. These included devastating wildfires in the Amazon rainforest, known as the "lungs of the Earth," which drew global concern for their impact on biodiversity and carbon dioxide absorption. Australia also experienced one of its worst bushfire seasons, with significant loss of life, property, and wildlife. Additionally, record-breaking temperatures were observed globally, further evidencing the accelerating pace of climate change.

Policy and Action

On the policy front, the European Union announced the European Green Deal in December 2019, aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This ambitious plan includes investing in environmentally friendly technologies, supporting industry to innovate, rolling out cleaner, cheaper, and healthier forms of private and public transport, and decarbonizing the energy sector.

Public Awareness and Activism

Public awareness and activism around climate change saw significant growth in 2019. The media coverage of climate-related issues increased, and climate change became a central topic in many political debates and campaigns. The rise of movements like Fridays for Future, Extinction Rebellion, and the increased visibility of indigenous voices in climate discussions marked a shift in public discourse, emphasizing the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for immediate action.

This climate change related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.