The 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Madrid, Spain, in early December. With the Trump administration's recent formal letter to the UN announcing its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, greenhouse gas reduction to mitigate climate change is expected to be a major focus of COP25. The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee reviewed the Environmental Protection Administration's budget today (December 18th). Legislators Wang Yu-min, Chen Yi-min, and Wu Yu-chin, among others, offered suggestions regarding Taiwan's greenhouse gas reduction policies. Wang Yu-min pointed out that nearly five years after the enactment of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, the government's reduction strategy has not been proactive enough. "Last year's Control Yuan report also pointed out that the reduction effect was not significant, yet the Environmental Protection Administration has not revised or reviewed its related measures." Therefore, he proposed reducing the "Climate Change Response Plan" portion of the Greenhouse Gas Management Fund by NT$1 million and freezing NT$6 million. In response, Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Director-General Chang Tzu-ching acknowledged that the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act does indeed require review after its implementation. "The EPA will take responsibility for supervising the effectiveness of carbon reduction measures implemented by various ministries and will begin to review and revise the future direction of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act." The 2015 Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adopted the Paris Agreement, reaching a consensus among countries on greenhouse gas emission reduction practices. Each country is responsible for its own implementation, with emission reduction efforts reviewed every five years, and pressure exerted on countries with insufficient carbon reduction efforts through negotiations. Although Taiwan is neither a UN member nor a party to the Climate Convention or the Paris Agreement, it is committed to aligning with international practices and fulfilling its responsibility as a global citizen.

If windows of the future could capture sunlight to generate electricity, businesses and homes could potentially save significant costs. The Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has developed transparent solar panels with a 12% conversion efficiency. In the near future, windows could become solar panels, transforming entire buildings into power plants. Unlike rooftop solar systems, which face aesthetic considerations, regulations, and permits, fully transparent glass solar panels could be an entry-level option upon commercialization. Consequently, many research institutions have recently begun exploring glass solar panels or integrating window and solar technology. However, existing technologies face numerous challenges. First, conversion efficiencies fall below the 20% of conventional solar panels. Furthermore, because they need to absorb a wider range of sunlight wavelengths, the technologies being developed primarily rely on emerging materials like dyes and polymers, often with brown and blue hues, and are still some time away from commercialization. Therefore, the UNIST team is looking to adapt common silicon-based solar cells, potentially opening up new opportunities for the solar market. In their research, UNIST first punched countless tiny holes in a 1-square-centimeter silicon solar cell. The holes, about 100 microns in diameter, are as thin as a human hair. This design allows 100% of sunlight to pass through, allowing the cell to absorb the light without changing its color. Ultimately, the team developed a semi-transparent silicon solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 12%. While this still falls short of 20% and the 15% threshold for commercialization, it's already superior to other transparent cells.

Following the Environmental Protection Administration's (EPA) revision of the "Restrictions on the Use and Implementation of Disposable Tableware" in August of this year, Taipei City took the lead, proposing an implementation date of January 1, 2020. Subsequently, six special municipalities (New Taipei, Taichung, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, and Tainan) and six non-special municipalities (Penghu, Yilan, Hualien, Changhua, Hsinchu, and Keelung), a total of 12 counties and cities, submitted their respective implementation dates to the EPA, which were subsequently approved and implemented. The EPA explained that this was due to considerations of business scale, operating model, and regional conditions, authorizing each county and city government to set the implementation date, resulting in a nationwide discrepancy. The new law expands the scope of regulation from government departments and schools to department stores, shopping malls, and hypermarkets, stipulating that "disposable tableware of all materials may not be provided for dine-in customers." Department stores and shopping malls will be prohibited from providing disposable tableware starting January 1, 2020. Hypermarkets will follow suit: Yilan and Hualien are the fastest to implement the new regulations. Comparing the 12 counties and cities that have already announced their regulations, eight counties and cities across Taiwan will implement the new regulations for "department stores and shopping malls" on January 1, 2020. These include Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Taichung City, Tainan City, Penghu County, Yilan County, and Hualien County. Kaohsiung City will implement the regulations on March 1, Hsinchu City on May 1, and Keelung City the latest, on July 1. As for the new regulations prohibiting the provision of disposable tableware in hypermarkets, Yilan County and Hualien County are the first to implement them, taking effect on January 1, 2020. Taipei City, New Taipei City, Kaohsiung City, Taoyuan City, Penghu County, Yilan County, and Hualien County will follow suit.

Photodegradable, disintegrating, and oxidatively biodegradable plastics actually don't decompose and are not compostable. In the 1860s, after the Civil War, the US economy boomed, driven by manufacturing. With the westward expansion reaching its peak, American pool became popular. However, at the time, pool balls were made of ivory, which was difficult to obtain and expensive, leading to increased elephant poaching in African colonies. Seeking an alternative to ivory, American inventor John Wesley Hyatt combined cellulose nitrate and camphor to create a compound called celluloid, the world's first artificial plastic. This invention was not only groundbreaking, but also a key component of America's Second Industrial Revolution. Celluloid was later refined into petroleum-based plastics. Due to its low price and high plasticity, it was widely used in all aspects of human life, rapidly changing consumer habits and providing convenient, hygienic, and affordable products. However, with the uncontrolled and excessive consumption of plastic, it takes hundreds of years for it to decompose in the natural environment. Therefore, in recent years, countries around the world have begun to pay attention to the serious consequences of plastic waste. The Century of Loneliness of Plastic: Over 10 billion tons of plastic are produced annually worldwide, 90% of which is used only once and becomes waste. According to United Nations statistics, global plastic use has increased annually, approaching 10 billion tons. Of this, less than 10% is recycled and reused. The rest becomes waste and is either incinerated or placed in landfills, dispersing into the ocean and other environments, breaking into plastic microparticles.

As climate change worsens and global warming accelerates, research institutions and scientists worldwide are anxiously seeking quick solutions to eliminate greenhouse gases and cool the planet. In this battle against climate change, consumers may not have heard of "clean energy" or "carbon capture technology," but they understand the benefits of actions like tree planting, energy efficiency improvements, and green consumption in reducing carbon emissions. According to a 2019 survey by Tetra Pak of over 7,500 respondents in 15 global markets, more than 90% of consumers habitually look for eco-labels on products when making purchases; and a staggering 43% indicated they are willing to pay a higher price for products that claim to be environmentally friendly. Globally, more and more countries are demonstrating their commitment to environmental protection through plastic reduction policies, and many consumers are joining the ranks of those reducing plastic use, not only to effectively save energy and reduce carbon emissions, but also to reduce environmental pollution and ecological damage caused by plastic products. Convenience and environmental protection can indeed coexist, but reducing plastic use is not something that can be achieved overnight. The invention of plastics has brought immense convenience to human life. Everyday items we encounter, such as beverage bottles, plastic bags, food storage containers, and melamine tableware, are all familiar petrochemical plastic products. According to a 2016 report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and...

With a growing environmental awareness in Vietnam, local authorities have recently found a new path to environmental sustainability: using recycled plastic to pave roads. Vietnam's first 200-meter-long road paved with waste plastic was recently opened in Hai Phong City, and this "recycled road" will be extended. This proposal for paving roads with waste plastic was a collaboration between DOW CHEMICAL VIETNAM Company, the developer of the Dinh Vu Industrial Zone (Deep C) in Hai Phong City, and the Vietnam Maritime University, among others. The first phase involved the construction of the 200-meter-long road paved with waste plastic within the industrial zone. Vietnamese media reported that a large amount of recycled plastic waste was provided by local environmental protection units. After being washed, dried, and crushed, it was mixed with asphalt at a temperature of 150 to 180 degrees Celsius and then used for paving. This mixture of plastic and asphalt is believed to improve the road's durability. Following the opening of this "recycling road" on the 1st, the relevant authorities will continue to build similar roads within the industrial park. A second "recycling road," made from 6.5 tons of recycled plastic waste, is scheduled for completion in November. The developers of the Deep C Industrial Park stated that the development of new applications for plastic waste treatment helps promote circular economic development, create value from plastics, and reduce plastic waste. The opening of this road made from recycled plastic marks a significant milestone for Deep C as a leading eco-industrial park in Vietnam. The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) stated that this new approach to plastic waste treatment aligns with the Vietnamese government's...

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans a streamlined, consolidated licensing scheme. Taiwanese companies may soon receive integrated permits from local authorities for the use of chemicals of concern and toxic substances. Based on the EPA's recommendation, separate documentation for each substance will no longer be required. The EPA is holding public consultations and draft amendments for the following four regulations concerning toxic substances and chemicals of concern: Permit registration and approval regulations; Holding and emission record regulations; Approval regulations for Category IV substances; and Material Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and labeling regulations. Public consultation will end on October 14th, and the bills will take effect on January 16th, 2020. Under the Toxic Chemicals and Chemicals of Concern Management Act (TCCSCA), toxic chemicals are defined as those intentionally produced or unintentionally generated during manufacturing. Toxic chemicals are further classified into four categories based on their chemical properties or their impact on human health and the environment. Chemicals of concern are separated from toxic chemicals and include substances of "public concern" that pollute the environment or are suspected of posing health hazards. The main change in the draft amendment to the licensing regulations is the potential use of a new system that would allow local authorities to issue integrated licenses or registration documents for individual holders or factories. Under the current system, companies are required to keep separate records for each substance they hold, manufacture, import, export, store, or use. "This will be much more convenient for both holders and local authorities," said Liu Yi-kun, head of the Integrated Planning Division at the Toxic and Chemical Substances Bureau (TCSB). The draft amendment will also allow companies to upload their applications and license approvals online.

The shipping industry has a new strategy for reducing carbon emissions. A British study indicates that ammonia, commonly found in fertilizers, is the best alternative to diesel fuel for cargo ships, and its combustion process produces no carbon dioxide. The shipping industry is hoping to replace diesel with ammonia to help combat climate change. Cargo ships could be powered by ammonia as early as 10 years. According to the BBC, David, a researcher at the Royal Society, stated, "Ammonia is the only fuel that can propel cargo ships anywhere with zero carbon emissions." The study also indicates that while ammonia production does produce carbon, new technologies can be used to produce zero-carbon ammonia. One approach is to capture the carbon dioxide during production and bury it underground. Another approach is to produce ammonia from renewable energy sources. The Korean Register of Shipping, which certifies ships worldwide, also noted earlier that ammonia is a viable clean energy source because it does not require extensive specialized technology. The organization stated in its report, "Ammonia has the advantage of being relatively easy to store, as it has a reasonable energy density, liquefaction temperature, and production and transportation costs compared to other carbon-neutral fuels. The technology for its stable production and transportation is already available." Source: Environmental Information Center

To reduce the use of plastic bags, the Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau has piloted "recyclable bag collection bins" at the entrances of 12 traditional markets, encouraging the public to donate their reusable bags. After disinfection, these bags are then provided to shoppers. Various sizes of plastic bags hang on the stalls of traditional markets. A single trip to the market often results in the use of several plastic bags. Plastic bags are cheap and difficult to recycle, resulting in a low reuse rate. The Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau has set up "recyclable bag collection bins" at the entrance of the Xihu Market in Taipei City, proactively providing reusable bags to encourage the public to reduce their use of plastic bags. The reusable bags at Xihu Market are almost all taken every day, and the cleaning team replenishes them. The public is encouraged to donate their unused bags, which can be placed on the lower level of the collection bin. These bags are then collected by the recycling team, tagged, disinfected with ultraviolet light, and returned to the market. Chen Li-e, from the Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau's Resource Recycling Team, stated, "Because we don't know what was inside the recyclable bags the previous user had them, we clean them and then disinfect them with ultraviolet light. This ensures they are safe to use and also alleviates public concerns." The Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau indicated that while the recycling bins aren't new to Taipei, increasing their usage rate requires dedicated personnel to clean and manage the recyclable bags. This measure, implemented in October, has shown positive results after a three-month trial, and they plan to expand its implementation. (Source: PTS News)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said today that the world's largest carbon polluters should agree to impose a carbon tax of $75 per tonne of carbon emissions over the next ten years to keep climate change at a safe level. AFP reported that the IMF called for immediate action to address climate change, but in recent years, major economies have disagreed on preventing catastrophic global warming, leading to policy clashes. An IMF researcher stated in a blog post, "A carbon tax is the most powerful and effective tool, but only if implemented in a fair and amicable manner." Following the "Yellow Vest" protests and numerous acts of violence last year, the French government temporarily suspended its plan to raise the carbon tax to over $50 per tonne. Meanwhile, US President Trump announced the withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement. This report was released ahead of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank next week, where the IMF's new Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, is expected to urge member countries to take action on climate change. According to the IMF's research report released today, carbon tax is the most effective way to prevent global temperatures from rising by more than 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels and achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Imposing a carbon tax will increase the costs of carbon-intensive industries such as electricity, tourism, manufacturing, transportation and food. The current global average carbon price is US$2 per ton.

Say Goodbye to Evil Plastic! Nestlé Establishes Research Institute to Promote 100% Recyclable Eco-friendly Packaging. As a global food manufacturer, Nestlé used 1.7 million tons of plastic packaging in the past year, making it undeniably responsible for the increasing global plastic pollution. In response to environmental demands for plastic reduction, Nestlé announced the establishment of a new research institute dedicated to developing more environmentally friendly food packaging. Greenpeace has previously singled out Nestlé, claiming the company is one of the main culprits of plastic pollution. Nestlé's annual sales reach $90 billion, and its brand is ubiquitous, from mineral water and various beverages to chocolate, with each product relying heavily on plastic packaging. Nestlé plans to leverage the Packaging Science Institute to achieve its goal of using 100% eco-friendly packaging by 2025. With rising environmental awareness and pressure from consumers, governments, and third-party organizations, Nestlé has also begun searching for solutions for eco-friendly packaging. However, the products provided by suppliers did not satisfy Nestlé. Therefore, they established the Institute of Packaging Sciences in Lausanne, Switzerland, hoping to leverage science to create a new generation of environmentally friendly packaging. Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider stated that their vision is that no Nestlé packaging will ever end up in a landfill. The packaging will bear Nestlé's name; they have decided to personally lead the birth of environmentally friendly packaging. As early as 2018, Nestlé...

In July 2017, the British government announced a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, ushering in a new era of fully electric vehicles. However, due to the accelerating pace of climate change, and in order to strengthen its response to climate change, the British government announced that it would bring forward the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars to 2035. To comprehensively reduce air pollution and curb the greenhouse effect, the British government announced in July 2017 that it would ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, ushering in a new era of fully electric vehicles. However, some experts believe that climate change is rapid, and if the UK only bans diesel and petrol cars in 2040, it may be too late. To strengthen its response to climate change, the British government recently announced that it would bring forward the original ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by five years, to 2035. According to media reports, to strengthen its measures to address climate change, the British government announced its decision to bring forward the ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel, or hybrid vehicles in the UK from the originally planned 2040 to 2035. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that he will unveil the new policy at the UN Climate Summit in November, calling 2020 a "decisive year for climate action" for the planet, and that the UN Climate Summit will be an opportunity to further strengthen the protection of our planet. Source: CSRone Sustainable Communication and Knowledge Platform

The invention of plastic can be said to be one of the most significant inventions that has transformed human life. It continues to play an indispensable role in food, clothing, housing, transportation, education, entertainment, and even in defense, aerospace, and healthcare. However, as environmental pollution continues to escalate, plastics are increasingly estranged from the concept of environmental sustainability. The environmental problems caused by plastics are under constant scrutiny, and driven by media and social media, plastics have become the most culprit. However, materials themselves are neither good nor bad; it's how people use them that matters. When considering the environmental sustainability benefits of materials, plastics possess inherent advantages. However, the effective and proper use of plastics is a crucial aspect that we must address. What is "material sustainability"? The concept of sustainable materials can be traced back to the first International Conference on Materials Science in 1988. Sustainable materials are broadly defined as "materials that minimize and minimize harm to the global environment and human health during the stages of raw material sourcing, product manufacturing, use, and post-use recycling." The Center for Sustainable Materials at Rutgers University in New Jersey also points out that "sustainable materials are materials used throughout our consumer market and industrial processes that can be produced in large quantities without depleting non-renewable resources or disrupting the steady-state balance of the environment and natural resource systems." This shows that the application and development of materials are closely related to the environment. Only by understanding the characteristics and applications of materials and evaluating their environmental impact can we effectively improve environmental protection.

In 1956, a mass mercury poisoning incident occurred in Minamata City, Kyushu, Japan, causing tens of thousands of people to experience symptoms such as limb paralysis, difficulty walking, and speech impairment. This incident sparked scientific research into the health hazards of mercury, leading the United Nations to conclude the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013, which came into effect on August 16, 2017. The convention requires signatory countries to ban the production, export, or import of mercury-containing products such as switches and relays, and mercury lamps starting in 2020. Although Taiwan is not a UN member, it still needs to align with the international trend of "gradually limiting mercury and eventually banning it." In accordance with the Minamata Convention, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has amended the "Management Regulations on the Control of Toxic Chemical Substances and Their Operations" to prohibit the use of mercury in the manufacture of switches and relays, high-pressure mercury lamps for general lighting, thermometers, and other non-electronic measuring instruments from January 1, 2021. Yesterday (March 3), the EPA also announced a "Restriction on the Import of Mercury-Containing Products," banning the import of the aforementioned three types of mercury-containing products from January 1, 2021. The Minamata Convention on Mercury regulates the manufacture, export, and import of mercury-containing products. (Source: Environmental Protection Administration, Chemistry Bureau) Health hazards of mercury (Source: Environmental Protection Administration website) Numerous health hazards that mercury may cause (Source: Environmental Protection Administration, Chemistry Bureau) Import of mercury measuring instruments, high-pressure mercury lamps, and mercury-containing switches is prohibited from 2021, with a maximum fine of NT$6,000. Mercury (Hg), commonly known as quicksilver, is a liquid metal at room temperature. Due to its stable physical properties, it was often used in the past to make products such as thermometers and barometers.

Have you ever wondered what happens to unsold clothes, or felt sorry for returned trousers that had to be destroyed due to product processing issues? However, a French anti-waste law passed on January 30th will mandate a ban on clothing and high-end consumer product companies destroying unsold or returned products, allowing them to enter the circular economy and maximize their benefits and value. The French parliament recently passed a broad-based anti-waste law prohibiting clothing and high-end consumer product companies from destroying unsold or returned products. The Guardian reports that the French government claims the law, passed on January 30th, is a world first, also applying to electronic, hygiene, and beauty products, which must now be reused, repackaged, or recycled. The law will also gradually ban paper receipts and disposable plastic bags and encourage pharmacies to sell individual doses of certain medications. The law requires manufacturers, importers, and distributors, including online companies like Amazon, to donate unsold non-food products, with exceptions for products with health and safety concerns. The law aims to make all plastics recyclable by 2025 and reduce disposable plastic bottles and containers by 50% in the next decade. Fast food restaurants and takeout restaurants must stop using plastic containers by 2023 at the latest. The office of French Prime Minister Édouard Philipp stated that France destroys or discards products worth over €650 million annually. Under the "polluter pays" principle, companies must bear the cost of disposing of any waste they generate. Starting next year, tobacco manufacturers...

It is estimated that 2 to 2.5 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally every day, generating a staggering amount of coffee grounds. A Ukrainian entrepreneur has had a brilliant idea: to repurpose coffee grounds into stylish and eco-friendly sunglasses. A machine cuts the grounds onto a flat surface, soon creating the frames. "Then we polish them, add all the parts, temples, and lenses, and the sunglasses are complete," says Galilanko, the developer of the coffee grounds sunglasses. Galilanko, originally a spectacler, sought alternatives to plastic to make the frames environmentally friendly and biodegradable, trying everything from mint to wheat and rice. He found that a mixture of coffee grounds, vegetable oil, and flax fibers, compressed and cut into frames, yielded the best results. The initial frames are then hand-polished to create high-quality, stylish sunglasses, with lenses made from similar plant fibers. "This isn't just about producing goods," says Karilanco. "It's about changing people's perceptions, making them appreciate natural materials and ingredients, and cultivating a habit of responsible consumption." The coffee grounds glasses not only have a visible natural texture but also smell of coffee. Karilanco has branded its self-developed sunglasses, primarily selling them in coffee shops and online. Since their launch last year, consumer response has been quite positive, with its main customers coming from Europe and America. Consumer Polyakov says, "It's innovative and environmentally friendly. In terms of protecting the environment, it's not just about our country, but about the whole world."

2019 has ended. According to the Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan's average annual temperature last year was 24.56 degrees Celsius, an increase of 0.34 degrees Celsius compared to the previous year (2018), setting a new high since records began in 1947. Global warming is not just about warmer winters; the resulting extreme weather events pose a serious threat to people's lives and property. At the beginning of 2020, the start of a new decade, the Taiwan Disaster Prevention Industry Association issued a joint statement reminding Taiwan that it is not just facing climate change, but a "climate emergency," requiring immediate action. Peng Chi-ming, chairman of the Taiwan Disaster Prevention Industry Association and a meteorological expert, said that the government needs to conduct risk communication with society, and public infrastructure and industrial development need to incorporate new disaster risk thinking. Yao Ta-chun, a corporate risk management expert, also said that Taiwan cannot stand idly by; "We are internationally recognized as one of the regions most severely threatened by extreme weather disasters, and we must be fully prepared." Several experts and scholars from the Taiwan Disaster Prevention Industry Association warned that Taiwan has officially entered a climate emergency. Photo by Sun Wenlin. In 2019, the Oxford Dictionary selected "climate emergency" as its word of the year from dozens of candidates. Oxford Dictionary statistics show that the usage of "climate emergency" increased 100 times in the past year compared to previous years, reflecting the social atmosphere and focus of attention that year, and also carrying long-term cultural significance. Over the past year, including...

The Brazilian Amazon rainforest, once known as the "lungs of the Earth," has been found by the Brazilian Space Research Institute to have lost the ability to absorb carbon dioxide in 20% of its area. Furthermore, within 30 years, nearly half of the rainforest could become a carbon emitter. How to address this is a question that deserves our serious consideration. https://s3.csrone.com/upload/articles/4pTeLnatQqVfMmiUHsw0gdcYgZkX1xWKrOBIeqFQ.jpeg The Brazilian Amazon rainforest absorbs a large amount of carbon emissions from humans, hence its nickname "lungs of the Earth." However, current research has found that approximately 20% of the Amazon rainforest actually produces more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. How is this possible? In fact, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growth process, and when the trees die, this absorbed carbon dioxide is "returned." Due to extensive deforestation and forest fires, up to 20% of the Amazon rainforest has begun to return the carbon absorbed during its growth, causing the rainforest to become a major carbon emitter. Over the past decade, a team led by Professor Luciana Gatti from the Brazilian Institute of Space Research (INPE) has been using spacecraft equipped with sensors to measure greenhouse gases in different sections of the Amazon rainforest every two weeks. They discovered that while the rainforest still has the capacity to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, one area whose population has been drastically reduced due to deforestation has lost this crucial ability.

Last year's devastating wildfires in the Amazon, Australia, Indonesia, and the Arctic Circle brought the environmental and economic impacts of climate change to the forefront of global discussion. These massive fires, some the size of a small country, destroyed primary forests and vulnerable wildlife, releasing billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, potentially accelerating global warming and triggering more fires. While carbon dioxide emissions from wildfires had declined in recent years, they increased again in 2019. Compared to previous years, the total carbon emissions from wildfires in 2019 were not particularly high. A Bloomberg report, based on data from the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED), indicated that fire-related carbon emissions increased by 26% last year, reaching 7.8 billion tons, the highest level since 2002. However, overall, fire-related carbon emissions have been declining since the beginning of this century. While fire-related carbon emissions have been decreasing, total carbon emissions from human activities have grown even faster. Last year, fires accounted for one-fifth of the 36.8 billion tons of carbon released from burning fossil fuels, compared to one-quarter at the beginning of this century. Thick smoke from Australia's wildfires spreads across Sydney's city. Photo credit: Nick-D (CC BY-SA 4.0) The location of the fires deserves attention. Is warming causing new trends in wildfires? Mark, a senior scientist at the Copernicus Climate Change Service, the European Union's Earth Observation Agency,