Positives for forests and seas – but global destruction through deforestation, environmental disasters and climate crisis dominate
Vienna (OTS) – After a turbulent year marked by the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and the pandemic, Greenpeace is drawing up its environmental balance sheet for 2022. Among this year’s losers is the Amazon. Rainforest deforestation reached an all-time high in the first half of the year. This also includes the Oder. Up to 400 tons of fish, and therefore about half of the entire fish population in the river, died as a result of sewage discharge. In 2022, however, there have also been some environmental successes. This includes, for example, the EU Forest Protection Act that was passed. It aims to ensure that no agricultural and animal products, such as coffee and meat from forest destruction, are imported into the EU. The UK has taken a major step against overfishing by banning bottom trawls in four fishing grounds.
For 2023, Greenpeace calls for a radical shift towards bold and effective environmental and climate policy at all levels, from the Austrian federal government to the EU Commission and the UN. These laws and agreements that have been postponed until now should finally be approved and implemented in 2023. In Austria, this includes the Renewable Heat Act and the ban on climate-damaging subsidies, the circular economy package at EU level and the agreement on plastics and the marine protection agreement at the UN level.
“The destruction of the planet and therefore our livelihood is progressing at breakneck speed. The year 2022 was marked by unprecedented forest destruction, environmental disasters and a mass extinction of animal species. The severe effects of the climate crisis – floods, storms, droughts – were felt across the world. However, there were some bright spots this year that gave hope that things could still turn around. With the EU Forest Protection Act, an important step has been taken to protect our forests. Also, an oil spill in the Red Sea could be avoided. But to succeed in the fight against the climate crisis, we need effective and bold laws and measures in 2023 more than ever. from Greenpeace, summing up the year.
=== Shocking environmental disaster 2022 ===
Record deforestation in the Brazilian rainforest
The Brazilian Institute for Space Research INPE reports that 3,988 square kilometers of rainforest were destroyed in the first half of 2022 – this corresponds to the area of Burgenland. These are the highest deforestation rates calculated since records began. The Amazon is home to indigenous and traditional communities, is home to rare animal and plant species and is the green lung of our planet.
Fish kills on the Oder
Up to half of the fish living on the Oder died after an environmental disaster in August. A current Greenpeace report blames the devastating damage on salt discharges from the Polish mining industry. Many ecosystems around the world are under enormous stress, every day around 150 plant and animal species become extinct and a total of one million species are threatened with extinction.
Peru oil spill
In January 2022, a tsunami caused the spill of almost 1.9 million liters of crude oil when an oil tanker was unloaded in Peru – around 1,400 hectares of sea, beaches and nature reserves were polluted and the Peruvian government declared an environmental emergency. In addition to the enormous environmental damage and health consequences, oil spills often destroy local people’s livelihoods by making farming, hunting and fishing impossible.
Chemical spills in Ukraine
Russia’s brutal war of aggression in Ukraine is causing enormous human suffering, and the environmental impact of the war will continue to threaten public health for decades to come. Due to the destruction of industrial facilities, toxic chemicals have leaked into the environment in many regions of Ukraine since the start of the war. Drinking water and air became polluted and water bodies were contaminated in many places.
flood disaster in pakistan
The researchers agree: 2022 teaches us that we are already in the midst of the climate crisis. Pakistan felt its effects particularly sharply this year. A third of the country was submerged during the great flood. 33 million people were affected and over 1,500 people died. Damage is estimated at more than $10 billion.
=== Pioneering Environmental Achievements 2022 ===
EU law against the destruction of forests
After years of wrangling, the EU Parliament, the EU Commission and the EU Council have agreed on an EU regulation on products free from destruction of forests and supply chains in 2022. EU forest protection law applies to soy , palm oil, beef, important wood and paper products, as well as coffee, cocoa and rubber. To combat corruption and lack of transparency in supply chains, products must be traceable back to the place of manufacture. The regulation is the first in the world to combat global deforestation. It could make a decisive contribution against global deforestation in the coming years, as the EU currently imports 36% of all agricultural and animal products from global forest destruction.
Northernmost undeveloped oil field in the world
Norwegian oil company Equinor has withdrawn its plans to drill the world’s most northerly oil well. The withdrawal means that 200 million tonnes of CO2 will remain in the ground, many times Norway’s total emissions. To avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, the EU has set a target of reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. This also means that much of the oil and gas reserves that lie dormant in the ground must not be burned.
Oil spill in the Red Sea averted
For years, more than 140,000 tons of oil were stored in the obsolete tanker “FSO Safer” off the coast of Yemen. Due to its age and lack of maintenance, the tanker is at risk of breaking apart or even exploding – with devastating consequences for people and marine biodiversity on site. After years of concern, the United Nations has finally approved funding for the rescue operation in 2022. Preparations to rescue the tanker are ongoing.
UK bottom trawl ban
90% of global fish stocks are already overexploited or overfished. Industrial fisheries often fish using bottom trawls, which plow the sea floor and destroy valuable ecosystems, such as deep-sea coral forests, in a matter of seconds. In addition, nets lead to a high rate of accidental capture of animals such as dolphins, turtles and seabirds. As of summer 2022, bottom trawling has been banned in four protected areas in the UK. An important first step, but Greenpeace is demanding that this ban be extended to a number of other areas.
Historic investments in renewable energy in the US
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) came into effect in the US. With this, it is expected that US$ 396 billion will be invested in renewable energy projects. The US currently ranks second after China in terms of CO₂ emissions in a global comparison, so this legislation is relevant worldwide. Although unique, the law still has major loopholes: it also provides funds for investments in false solutions and further exploration of gas and oil.
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Questions and contact:
Lisa Panhuber
consumer expert
Greenpeace in Central and Eastern Europe
Telephone: +43 (0)664 61 26 712
Email: [email protected]
Emil Goldberg
press secretary
Greenpeace in Central and Eastern Europe
Telephone: +43 (0)664 81 69 711
Email: [email protected]