Introduction:

2023 was a year filled with environmental issues and solutions. According to Earth.Org, it is important for the world to reflect on our environmental strengths and weaknesses. This allows us to identify areas of improvement and create more specific, solution-based policies for a greener future.

Environmental Issues:

Droughts were one of the most prominent environmental issues in 2023. For example, the National Centers for Environmental Information reported that Europe experienced less rainfall and snowfall than in previous years. While Europe was particularly affected, water shortages were global and hindered agricultural output.

Heatwaves were another problem the world faced throughout 2023. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that 2023 was the world’s hottest year ever. These heat waves caused Antarctic sea ice to melt at a historically high rate.

There were an increased number of wildfires last year. The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) tracked these wildfires’ carbon emissions, which totaled 2,170 megatonnes. Furthermore, the National Interagency Fire Center communicated that there were 53,685 fires last year that destroyed 2.61 million acres.

In 2023, rising ocean temperatures continued to be a major environmental crisis. According to CAMS, July 2023 broke records as ocean temperatures rose 0.51 degrees Celsius (32.92 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1991-2020 average. Rising sea levels also contributed to more devastating flooding during hurricanes.

Environmental Solutions:

However, 2023 also brought positive data and unique solutions that attempt to solve the aforementioned issues. For instance, the United Nations Environment Programme reported in January 2023 that the ozone layer—which helps absorb sun radiation—is predicted to recover in 40 years since ozone-depleting chemicals are decreasing.

The European Union (EU) produced a 2023 Clean Energy Report that shows record-breaking competitiveness in the union’s clean energy sectors. This has allowed the EU to produce renewable energy that is more powerful, higher quality, and cheaper.

In addition, multiple influential climate summits took place in 2023. Group of 20, an intergovernmental forum, hosted a summit and adopted a declaration that urged countries to triple global renewable energy production by 2030.

Lastly, the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference brought countries together to create climate change adaptation plans by 2030—51 countries have completed their national plans as of 2024. Developed countries at COP28 also contributed to an Adaptation Fund of $160 million to help vulnerable communities recover from environmental crises.

Wildfires that took place in 2023, which was one of the year's environmental issues.