The Environment Chronicle

By resolution 44/236 (22 December 1989), the General Assembly designated the second Wednesday of October International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction. The International Day was to be observed annually during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999. In 2001, the General Assembly decided to maintain the observance of the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of October (resolution 56/195 of 21 December), as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

With the German reunification entering into force, the environmental legislation of the former BRD and the European Union becomes valid all over Germany. Dedicated regulations deal with the special situation in the new states ("länder").

To protest against Russian atomic tests on Novaia Semlya, Greenpeace sails into the arctic ice. The army storms the ship and seizes its crew. After four days of international protest, both are released again.

The state shall set up a public institute, the " German Federal Environmental Institute".

The purpose of the act is 1. to protect the life and health of humans, animals, plants, the environment affected by them and property from possible hazard from genetically engineered products and processes, and to prevent such hazards from arising. 2. to create a legal framework for the research, development, use and funding of the scientific, technical and economic potential of genetic technologies.

The Greenpeace ship Beluga begins a two-month journey along the Elbe, to mount protests against river polluters in both West and East Germany.

§1 The purpose of this Act is to ensure that for the projects set out in the Appendix to Article 3 in order to guarantee effective preventative environmental protection on the basis of uniform principles: 1. the effects on the environment are identified, described and assessed in time and comprehensively, 2. the results of the environmental impact assessment are taken into account as early as possible in all cases in which authorities decide upon the approval of projects.

In the South Pacific, the Rainbow Warrior prevents Japanese and Taiwanese trawler fleets from casting their mile-long "wall of death". In the Summer, Japan announces an end to dragnet fishing in the South Pacific.

Flower of the Year 1990 is the Sheepbit or Sheep's Bit (Jasione montana).

Tree of the Year 1990 is the Beech (Fagus sylvatica).

Biotope of the Year: Reed beds

Landscape of the Year: the Neusiedlersee

Orchid of the Year: Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

Bird of the Year 1990 is the Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus).

On the basis of scientific research, some of it by the FEA, the government commits Germany to a reduction in greenhouse emissions of CO2 by 25% relative to 1990 by the year 2005, making Germany a global frontrunner in climate protection.

East German environment offices are integrated into the West German structure. The FEA begins a detailed investigation of contaminated sites, for which the government makes funds available: for lignite mining alone some $750,000 between 1992 and 1997. A number of laws is harmonised without difficulty.