Each year that the fossil fuel status quo is allowed to continue is another terrible year for the Earth. 2016 was no exception — emissions actually increased throughout the year.
While there were many significant breakthroughs throughout the year, the planet also suffered many significant setbacks: temperatures climbed, storms grew, droughts and floods intensified, forests were mowed down, corals reefs deteriorated, animal life plummeted, and so on.
Let's hope 2017 marks a significant shift toward a renewable future. In the meantime, here's a look back at some of the things that the planet had to deal with in 2016.
Rising Temperatures
2016 Will Be the Hottest Year On Record, Again.
This is the third straight record-breaking year of heat.
June, in Particular, Was Extremely Hot
This was the 14th straight month of record temperatures.
And the Arctic Was Somehow 36 Degrees Hotter Than Normal
Beautiful Ice in the Arctic
At a certain point soon, the Arctic could enter an unstoppable feedback loop of melting ice and rising temperatures.
Changing Planet
The First US Climate Refugees Are Being Resettled
The 60 people on the Isle de Jean Charles, in Louisiana, have families that have lived there for generations. They don’t want to leave.
This Mammal Went Extinct From Climate Change
This small rodent was the first extinction to ever be attributed to climate change.
The World's Wildlife Declined 58% in 42 Years
Forests are being razed, deserts are growing, rivers are being choked with pollution, oceans are being stripped of their ecosystems.
World’s Coffee Supply Is Threatened
This is not a joke.
Stephen Hawking Gives Us 1,000 Years — Tops
A thousand years is a long time from now — but in the grand scheme of things it’s just a blink.
Air Pollution
90% of People Breathe Dangerous Air
If you live in a city, you probably breathe dangerous air.
6.5 Million People Die Each Year From Dirty Air
In the most heavily polluted cities, the air is a serious threat to health.
Turns Out, Rio’s Air Is More Deadly Than Its Water
That’s saying something. Some of the water sources proposed for the Olympics were so contaminated that illness was all but guaranteed.
Tehran’s Air Pollution Reached New Extremes
Tehran has some of the thickest air pollution in the world. Over a few days this year, it killed scores of people.
Storms
Remember the “Super" El Nino?
This beast of a storm changed climates all around the world and it was turbocharged by climate change.
This Typhoon Was Even Stronger
This even bigger beast of a storm landed in China.
Hurricane Matthew Devastated Haiti
Haiti is the last country that can handle a devastating hurricane.
Deadly Baton Rouge Flooding Tied to Climate Change
More than two feet of rain fell, completely overwhelming the city.
Why?
Africa’s Coal Boom Continues
It’s cheap, it’s effective, but it’s killing the planet.
Some Drivers Spew Smog Into the Air for No Reason
This is actually happens.
These Are the World's Most Wasteful Cities
Guess who tops the list?
These Are the Most Endangered Animals in the World
Animals can’t adapt to changing environments as easily as humans can.
Australia Fired One of the World’s Best Climate Scientists
John Church has made indispensable contributions to the global understanding of climate change.
2015 Was the Deadliest Year for Environmentalists Ever
185 of the fiercest defenders of the planet were murdered in 2015.
These 2 Infrastructure Disasters Highlight the Challenges Ahead
If the US can’t build a sustainable society, will developing countries be able to?
And This Secret Global Trade Deal Wants to Stop Renewable Energy
Yes, this is a thing.