Global environmental developments in October 2022

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) – Several reports about climate change and its growing effects were released in October along with encouraging initiatives and pledges for environmental protection.

Below is a list of environmental developments, reports and events compiled by Anadolu Agency.

Oct. 3:

- Spain officially grants legal personhood to the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon, a unique ecosystem threatened by environmental collapse.

Oct. 6:

- At least 150 people are killed and 300 injured in disasters induced by climate change in the landlocked African country of Rwanda in the past nine months of this year, according to official figures.

Oct. 7:

- Pakistan is on the verge of a public health disaster after the devastating floods, warns UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as the world body now seeks $816 million to help the South Asian nation, a surge of $656 million from the initial appeal.

Oct. 10:

- Spanish scientists find that of 58 fish and seafood species sold in local markets in Spain, Italy and France, just 13 presented mercury concentrations that the EU considers safe.

Oct. 13:

- Authorities in Australia issue warnings, urging residents in some areas of Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania states to relocate to safer places following heavy rain and flooding.

- Global wildlife population declined an average of 69% since 1970, reveals a newly published report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Oct. 17:

- In 10 months, the death toll in Nigeria's floods has hit 603, while roughly 2.5 million people have been displaced, says the country's the disaster management minister.

Oct. 19:

- After the hottest summer on record, parts of Spain continue breaking records for hottest-ever temperatures in October, says the national meteorological agency.

- Chad's transitional president, Mahamat Idriss Deby, announces a state of emergency, deploring the human and material damage caused by massive flooding in the country.

Oct. 20:

- The first Environment Forum organized by Anadolu Agency kicks off in Istanbul with many experts, media professionals and academicians in attendance to raise awareness of the climate crisis and environmental issues.

- Leading news agencies in the Mediterranean region, including Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA), Agencia EFE and Anadolu Agency, are set to sign a joint declaration to cooperate in protecting the forests of the Mediterranean.

- A new species of rove beetle, "the lathrobium gocmeni," is discovered in northwestern Türkiye.

Oct. 21:

- Devastating floods in Nigeria put the lives of more than 1.5 million children at risk, warns UNICEF.

Oct. 23:

- A strong cyclone named Sitrang is likely to hit coastal regions in Bangladesh, warns weather authorities.

Oct. 25:

- A Spanish man hailed as a hero for protecting his town from the flames of a wildfire in July dies from burn injuries.

Oct. 26:

- The World Bank, as part of its mission to strengthen physical infrastructure and make it more resilient to natural disasters, approves $200 million in financing to help reduce the flood risk in Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam.

Oct. 27:

- The Basque Country in northern Spain activates its wildfire protocol amid record heat and strong winds from the south.

Oct. 28:

- More than 3.4 million people are displaced by destructive flooding in West and Central Africa, says the UN Refugee Agency, calling for urgent funding to address their surging needs.

- More than 150 million children across East and Southern Africa are gripped by grinding poverty and climate disaster, according to a report by Save the Children.

Oct. 31:

- Norway will resume its Amazon payments to Brazil following Inacio Lula da Silva's victory in presidential elections, according to the country's environment minister.