In years to come, when people look back on 2010, what will they remember? Editors Lin Tan and Liv Hambrett look at the stories and people that shaped our world this year…
Wikileaks
Opinions will differ as to whether Julian Assange, founder of Wikileaks is a hero or villain. The website, which publishes secret and classified material, has released some staggering information on war crimes as well as done some shit-stirring on a global-political level. Assange himself has been named 2010 person of the year in several publications but only time will tell what effects – good or bad – Wikileaks will have in the future.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
The disaster and chaos the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, otherwise known as the BP oil spill, caused on the environment enraged people all over the world. To date, it’s arguably one of the biggest oil spills recorded in history. The disaster, situated just off the Gulf of Mexico, flowed for a total of three months in which time it emitted around 205 million gallons of crude oil. Human casualties reached 11, and the extensive damage on marine and oceanic life will take years to mend.
Natural Disasters 2010
At this time of year, it is always difficult to remember some of the big events that occurred in 2010 when so much has already gone by. If we crane our heads simply towards the first quarter of the year, we’ll remember an unprecedented number of natural disasters that plagued so many nations. In January, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti leaving over a million people homeless, and some 600,000 injured or killed, resulting in a global outreach to aid the citizens of the country. The following month, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake shattered 370,000 homes in Chile, and in April, the 6.9 magnitude Yushu earthquake rocked the heart of China. However, possibly the most devastating of all catastrophes this year was the Pakistani floods, which began in during the nation’s monsoon season in July. The death toll reached 2,000 but the number of lives significantly affected is estimated to be in the 20 million mark, with many displaced due to the flood’s impact on infrastructure, agriculture and property.
The release of Aung San Suu Kyi
It’s devastating to think that Aung San Suu Kyi, former General Secretary of Burma’s National League of Democracy, has spent 15 of the past 21 years under house arrest. Her fight for democracy in Burma came with many personal sacrifices – during her detention, The Nobel Peace Prize winner lost her husband and had been separated from her children for 10 years.
Australia’s First Female Prime Minister
With Kevin Rudd‘s leadership in tatters, following the straw that was the mining tax, it was against a backdrop of controversy and to a chorus of nay-saying, Julia Gillard made history by becoming our first female Prime Minister. Since then she has triumphed in an extraordinarily narrow election and become one of the most significant political figures in recent history – and not just because she’s a woman.
Mining Disasters
Two mining disasters gripped the global headlines this year, but only one had a happy ending. 33 Chilean miners, who were trapped in a mine for 69 days, all survived, and their rescuse was broadcast worldwide. 22 miners in New Zealand were not so lucky. Three explosions that played out, tragically, in the public eye, killed each miner, with the third explosion occuring just minutes before a period of official silence was to begin, to formally mourn the dead.
A Royal Engagement
Even those who say they don’t care probably know just a little something about this announcement, that sent Britain into a little bit of a media frenzy. Prince William (who at this stage in the game may or may not ever make it to the throne) and Kate Middleton (constantly battered for ‘waiting’ by the Britsh press) announced their plans to marry in the Spring of 2011 and you can almost hear the upper echelons of society dusting off their hats … and the Daily Mail sharpening its claws.
The Big(ger) Freeze
To cap off a year in which Mother Nature truly unleashed her fury on the world, Europe went headfirst into its coldest Winter on record. They thought Winter 2009/2010 was bad. They hadn’t seen anything yet. The United Kingdom was the first to raise its hands in surrender, as heavy snowfall began wreaking havoc as early as November. By December, airports around Europe were experiencing difficulty, culminating in tens of thousands of people spending Christmas in an airport somewhere in Europe. So what’s next? 50 degree summers in Iceland?
We want to know what defined your 2010. Leave us a comment below with the people and the moments you’ll never forget …
