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Floating ice in front of the Apusiajik Glacier in south-eastern Greenland. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J5G3IH3XUX2IJJ67EL5SZUM5QI.jpg?smart=true&auth=270ba05e3060f4e3686705c8de5917f950c5c74154193e61ebad42f5dbf51c2e&width=400&height=225)
A large diesel spill in the Ambarnaya River outside Norilsk. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IS4A7MVESV57OZJCN4XTZVEKDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ad02cddd147ecd8eff90217c7acc1aedbfea2733757d288068acb822f748712&width=400&height=225)
More than 2,000 hectares of forest were alight over a large area of Krasnoyarsk region, Russia. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBDVAC4ZUG4EGYC7ZIRUANKSWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e9789fc6f5f2ab3a501fc7f9cc63af439c88c5b49e8999542e483920a2ed87b&width=400&height=225)
The islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina were hit by Hurricane Iota, the strongest to affect the country since records are kept. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7O6L7ETNNTLQTX6X34CLVO2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab213841c5a8791826a199132ea889bf75e1644ae99d8cd78374e9787b3d3970&width=400&height=225)
Submerged houses in Cagayan province, north of Manila, on November 14, 2020, days after Typhoon Vamco hit parts of the country bringing heavy rain and flooding. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LVMACYOW4L3ZSHBTS3MJL67MIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6825e298f3604d7173ab2077d6137ef5b6af7f9d9ba6693de220acccafd8b8a2&width=400&height=225)
Typhoon Vamcobattered the Philippines causing widespread flooding and destruction in areas still reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Goni. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KEEVYCBHIF7ZK57EQSCGJRHSIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8070838b793421468a39423e2f9093e169cfabd8a8c338ad7a0da07067127d77&width=400&height=225)
A freak sandstorm sweeping over Polatli, in Ankara, Turkey . AFP
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Queensland Fire and Emergency Services worked to contain a bushfire that has been burned on Fraser Island for six weeks, and is now threatening areas with 1,000-year-old trees. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5AEMPPMZ3UXM23KYY5I33LAVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1aaf030c60879cfd8f339fa673898efd42cf4742a5213d6865fae40a6ef677a&width=400&height=225)
The Silverado Fire burns along the 241 State Highway in Irvine, California. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GQ3X3S32WMB7XGL5GWKHBSP3OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=912807854a086e8b7c4af745a101f2dae740e7c865103c5b04d63eee0f6b1118&width=400&height=225)
Residents evacuate their flooded homes in Gresik, East Java on December 15, 2020, as the rainy season brings floods to many areas in Jakarta and Java.AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXBAVPGN46HWFI43VLK6VIC2JE.jpg?smart=true&auth=74630931ce26096483814753a3091a0f4426641a751bdb47c1b67ba3ef068c7e&width=400&height=225)
Cars drive along the Golden Gate Bridge under an orange smoke filled sky at midday in San Francisco, California on September 9, 2020. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPPROGWJPXIXC4G46D6HS3GSZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6113f824e45e831ccc2caaaea2a66a187c33d4194b123478b200ea2ee366101&width=400&height=225)
A rare lightning storm crackles over Mitchell's Cove in early morning in Santa Cruz, California in August. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RPNN7IFZ4G7Z3N3NDLCZJWBK5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2cd7d9f840cc7511a802c9e1912341b3a8fa126de3af481363d1e3e1a33f9345&width=400&height=225)
Vehicles drive through a flooded road after heavy monsoon rains, in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6O6XT4C5CJWTKIHXMEX4HVPYEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa950b43451cf9c59830f08686f86cff33e561be22295aef4de24f63582aabfa&width=400&height=225)
This year has seen record Atlantic hurricanes and western wildfires, devastating floods in Asia and Africa and a hot, melting Arctic. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EL4JVN4NQZMRJPNVE4G652IPPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=416e0838b4770b88913ef8fc19c32f011d76bcccd2757ae09ff6063b313d7571&width=400&height=225)
Flood waters move on the street, in Pensacola, Florida after the passing of Hurricane Sally in September 2020. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SR2YRZELFOCZGJU4HWXI5AJ6MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a138cefb10a1c525e170c82662eca9745db31eb2b1f089366626b36dcb173c2&width=400&height=225)
The A-68A iceberg that broke away from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 2019 is on a collision course with South Georgia island. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R7LYYIHKOI67FEI3P5LQ3RDSYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3a05751df4f4d68cf97048cf64e8a53a24570a066893829873b8dd868581d6c&width=400&height=225)
Floating ice in front of the Apusiajik Glacier in south-eastern Greenland. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/J5G3IH3XUX2IJJ67EL5SZUM5QI.jpg?smart=true&auth=270ba05e3060f4e3686705c8de5917f950c5c74154193e61ebad42f5dbf51c2e&width=400&height=225)
A large diesel spill in the Ambarnaya River outside Norilsk. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IS4A7MVESV57OZJCN4XTZVEKDA.jpg?smart=true&auth=3ad02cddd147ecd8eff90217c7acc1aedbfea2733757d288068acb822f748712&width=400&height=225)
More than 2,000 hectares of forest were alight over a large area of Krasnoyarsk region, Russia. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IBDVAC4ZUG4EGYC7ZIRUANKSWQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=5e9789fc6f5f2ab3a501fc7f9cc63af439c88c5b49e8999542e483920a2ed87b&width=400&height=225)
The islands of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina were hit by Hurricane Iota, the strongest to affect the country since records are kept. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z7O6L7ETNNTLQTX6X34CLVO2YI.jpg?smart=true&auth=ab213841c5a8791826a199132ea889bf75e1644ae99d8cd78374e9787b3d3970&width=400&height=225)
Submerged houses in Cagayan province, north of Manila, on November 14, 2020, days after Typhoon Vamco hit parts of the country bringing heavy rain and flooding. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LVMACYOW4L3ZSHBTS3MJL67MIE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6825e298f3604d7173ab2077d6137ef5b6af7f9d9ba6693de220acccafd8b8a2&width=400&height=225)
Typhoon Vamcobattered the Philippines causing widespread flooding and destruction in areas still reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Goni. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KEEVYCBHIF7ZK57EQSCGJRHSIQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=8070838b793421468a39423e2f9093e169cfabd8a8c338ad7a0da07067127d77&width=400&height=225)
A freak sandstorm sweeping over Polatli, in Ankara, Turkey . AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LF35OEZJOAZRD73HZ5KNY4DP4I.jpg?smart=true&auth=6ebab6b596cd7fba287128fd90e83c0ee7a34954ce540a1fd40cc178a6f1379a&width=400&height=225)
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services worked to contain a bushfire that has been burned on Fraser Island for six weeks, and is now threatening areas with 1,000-year-old trees. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/C5AEMPPMZ3UXM23KYY5I33LAVY.jpg?smart=true&auth=f1aaf030c60879cfd8f339fa673898efd42cf4742a5213d6865fae40a6ef677a&width=400&height=225)
The Silverado Fire burns along the 241 State Highway in Irvine, California. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GQ3X3S32WMB7XGL5GWKHBSP3OQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=912807854a086e8b7c4af745a101f2dae740e7c865103c5b04d63eee0f6b1118&width=400&height=225)
Residents evacuate their flooded homes in Gresik, East Java on December 15, 2020, as the rainy season brings floods to many areas in Jakarta and Java.AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXBAVPGN46HWFI43VLK6VIC2JE.jpg?smart=true&auth=74630931ce26096483814753a3091a0f4426641a751bdb47c1b67ba3ef068c7e&width=400&height=225)
Cars drive along the Golden Gate Bridge under an orange smoke filled sky at midday in San Francisco, California on September 9, 2020. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CPPROGWJPXIXC4G46D6HS3GSZA.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6113f824e45e831ccc2caaaea2a66a187c33d4194b123478b200ea2ee366101&width=400&height=225)
A rare lightning storm crackles over Mitchell's Cove in early morning in Santa Cruz, California in August. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RPNN7IFZ4G7Z3N3NDLCZJWBK5Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2cd7d9f840cc7511a802c9e1912341b3a8fa126de3af481363d1e3e1a33f9345&width=400&height=225)
Vehicles drive through a flooded road after heavy monsoon rains, in Karachi, Pakistan. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6O6XT4C5CJWTKIHXMEX4HVPYEY.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa950b43451cf9c59830f08686f86cff33e561be22295aef4de24f63582aabfa&width=400&height=225)
This year has seen record Atlantic hurricanes and western wildfires, devastating floods in Asia and Africa and a hot, melting Arctic. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EL4JVN4NQZMRJPNVE4G652IPPY.jpg?smart=true&auth=416e0838b4770b88913ef8fc19c32f011d76bcccd2757ae09ff6063b313d7571&width=400&height=225)
Flood waters move on the street, in Pensacola, Florida after the passing of Hurricane Sally in September 2020. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SR2YRZELFOCZGJU4HWXI5AJ6MA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a138cefb10a1c525e170c82662eca9745db31eb2b1f089366626b36dcb173c2&width=400&height=225)
The A-68A iceberg that broke away from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 2019 is on a collision course with South Georgia island. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R7LYYIHKOI67FEI3P5LQ3RDSYU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b3a05751df4f4d68cf97048cf64e8a53a24570a066893829873b8dd868581d6c&width=400&height=225)
Floating ice in front of the Apusiajik Glacier in south-eastern Greenland. AFP
Was 2020 the worst year for the world's environment?
Superstorms, bushfires and oil spills made 2020 a dangerous year for the environment
Lucy Sherriff
02 January, 2021
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