2020: Light in the darkness - 4th January 2021

2020 was an unprecedented year. The coronavirus pandemic monopolised the headlines and its presence was felt in everything from environmental disasters to our day-to-day lives. However, throughout this turbulent year, people have risen to the challenge in combating the problems of the year.

When Cyclone Amphan battered the Bay of Bengal in May, we discovered how the pandemic further complicated disaster management. Fearful of coronavirus infection, many opted to stay at home rather than evacuate to government shelters.

Human error was responsible for other environmental catastrophes, with oil spilling from tanks in Siberian Russia, and into waters off the coast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. The thousands of tonnes of oil that poured into the ocean after a cargo vessel broke apart posed a significant threat to coral reefs.

In Australia, however, scientists were excited to discover a 500 metre tower of coral just north of the Great Barrier Reef.

Steps were also taken to protect animals in Australia, with new legislation drawn up to protect one of the symbols of the country, the koala bear. The marsupial has had a difficult year after forest fires destroyed much of its habitat at the beginning of 2020, although the new laws seek to protect koalas' homes.

Whereas in Europe, stunned customers learned that they'd been buying shark meat missold as tuna. In Norway, another unusual seafood was being served up, as whale meat enjoyed an unexpected resurgence. Whales of a different kind averted disaster in the Netherlands. A derailing train became wedged on an enormous plastic sculpture of two whale tails.

Scientists in the US combined living organisms with technology by creating the world's first living robots, made from frog cells. Other breakthroughs in robotics included crop monitoring robots from Alphabet, the technology giant which owns Google. Designed to help farmers, these automatons can record data on every plant in a field. In another agricultural innovation, farmers in South East Asia found solutions to their problems via technology, as they built new websites to sell their produce during the pandemic.

Other examples of human achievements were of a more personal nature. Billionaire Chuck Feeney realised his dream of donating all of his $8 billion fortune during his lifetime. Teacher Ranjitsinh Disale also gave the world a lesson in generosity, after he decided to share one million dollars with other teachers. He'd received the money from the Global Teacher prize, which had named Mr Disale as the world's most exceptional teacher.

We've been presented with an unusually large number of obstacles in 2020, but throughout it all people have reacted optimistically and gone on to achieve great things. This leaves many hopeful about 2021.