Where are we on the environment? #17

January’s global events in five headlines, for those interested in the environment, sustainability and ecological transition.

1.

In 2020 Iceberg A-68A, one of the largest on record measuring over 160 kilometres long and almost 50 wide, threatened the marine ecosystem of South Georgia: over the course of a few months, however, the ice mass moved into warmer waters where it shattered and dissolved completely.

2.

There is an ongoing environmental emergency in Peru caused by the disturbance of the waters of the Pacific Ocean during a volcanic eruption in Tonga: the waves generated by the natural disaster caused a leak at the largest oil refinery in the country, resulting in huge damage to the marine ecosystem and the environment.

3.

The US oil giant ExxonMobil, one of the largest oil companies in the world, has announced a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, around 8 months since the Group joined the Board of Directors of Engine No. 1, a fund established with the aim of changing the environmental policies of the oil company to make them more sustainable.

4.

The European Commission wants to add nuclear and natural gas to a list of economic activities considered environmentally sustainable, but the proposal has been criticised by several countries, including Germany, which has historically opposed nuclear energy production.

5.

In the region of Big Sur, California, a large wildfire broke out that devastated much of the area: it is the first fire of 2022 in the region and occurred during a time of year - winter - when such events are somewhat rare.