Exploring the ‘carbon polygon’ of Ladoga

Sustainable soil management (SSM) initiatives review organic matter in soil and carbon sequestration to understand how best to mitigate carbon and methane emissions, improving mitigation of climate change. In Russia, the government established a ‘Carbon Polygons’ project assessing and monitoring carbon in different ecosystems and biomes, especially boreal forest regions. The researchers wanted to assess… Read More Exploring the ‘carbon polygon’ of Ladoga

Economic vs climate strategy face-off in the Russian Arctic

Russian climate doctrine and strategy include climate change as one of the biggest 21st century challenges especially socio-economic development of the Arctic region with both opportunities and risks (Drachkova et al., 2023, Kremlin, 2020). The Arctic is warming twice as fast as other areas with reduced snow cover, reduced permafrost, increased precipitation. Sea ice is… Read More Economic vs climate strategy face-off in the Russian Arctic

Space-Time irregularities in the Siberian troposphere

Air circulation in Russia has been changing in particular the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) influence, affected by global temperature increases. Extreme weather in 2020 produced 372 events causing significant damage to Russia’s economy and population.1 Regional climate changes have greater space-time irregularities most commonly surface air temperatures rising faster in high latitudes. However this changes… Read More Space-Time irregularities in the Siberian troposphere

Understanding climate politics in Central Asia – interview with Alina Bychkova

Alina Bychkova has nearly completed her PhD thesis ‘Understanding climate change narratives in Central Asia: science, politics and media discussions’ at Nottingham Trent University. She co-published ‘Kazakhstan’s climate change policy: reflecting national strength, green economy aspirations and international agenda’, Post-Communist Economies,34:7,894-915,DOI: 10.1080/14631377.2021.1943916 What is your PHD and how is it going? My PhD is in… Read More Understanding climate politics in Central Asia – interview with Alina Bychkova

Why do people move in, out and around Siberia?

Researchers looked at the ‘impact of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the migration of the rural Arctic population of Western Siberia’. They focused on the Yamal–Nenets Autonomous Okrug. They analysed long-term migration data collected from surveys and interviews between 2012 and 2021, Rosstat and other Russian databases including open-source platforms. Districts included Nadymsky, Yamalsky, Tazovsky,… Read More Why do people move in, out and around Siberia?

Can Russians promote energy saving behaviour without adversely affecting economic development of their own country? A look at Chelyabinsk.

Environmental discussions in Russia often focus on atmospheric pollution, waste and drinking water. They are starting to include sustainability and energy consumption. Russia is fourth in the world for primary energy consumption, electricity production and fossil fuel extraction. Across Russia’s cold climates, central heating is widely available in cities, with cheap electricity. There is very… Read More Can Russians promote energy saving behaviour without adversely affecting economic development of their own country? A look at Chelyabinsk.

Understanding hydrological pressures caused by melting permafrost

Researchers evaluated the current network of hydrometeorological observation across the permafrost. They wanted to find out how to improve statistical approaches for modelling engineering design and hydrological impact from melting permafrost such as increased flooding. They reviewed the distribution of ground temperature stations and hydrological gauges that currently measure streamflow discharge, where permafrost is covering… Read More Understanding hydrological pressures caused by melting permafrost

Less fizz, more plants – acids and eutrophication in Arctic lakes

Russian researchers identified acidification of lakes during 1990s in Murmansk, Karelia, Archangelsk and Vologda regions and found up to 5% of lakes have acidification due to human causes in humid areas of European Russia and West Siberia. Nornickel was identified as the main contributor of sulphur dioxide SO2 in Kola and Norilsk areas. However since… Read More Less fizz, more plants – acids and eutrophication in Arctic lakes