Climate change in Russia
Encyclopedia
Climate change in Russia describes the global warming
related issues in Russia
. This includes the climate politics, contribution in the global warming and the influence of the global warming in Russia. In 2009 Russia was ready to decline emissions 20-25 % from 1990 level to 2020.
it came in force 16.2-2005. Russia ratified the agreement three months earlier. This agreement did not cause emission cuts for Russia due to an earlier drop in emissions compared to year 1990 by other reasons.
(2007) climate change effected temperature increase is greater at higher northern latitudes. The temperature increases may effect e.g. agricultural and forestry management at Northern Hemisphere higher latitudes, such as earlier spring planting of crops, the frequency of wildfires, alterations in disturbance of forests due to pests, the health risks due to heat-waves, changes in infectious diseases and allergenic pollen andchanges tohuman activities in the Arctic e.g. hunting and travel over snow and ice. From 1900 to 2005, precipitation increased in northern Europe and northern and central Asia. Changes may effect inland flash floods, more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion, reduced snow cover and species losses.
thawing may be a serious cause for concern. It is believed that carbon storage in permafrost globally is in the region of 1600 Gt equivalent to twice the atmospheric pool. Protection peatlands from drainage and clearance slows down therate of greenhouse gases and gives benefits for biodiversity
.
Permafrost
is ground that has been frozen for two or more years. In most arctic areas it is from a few to several hundred metres thick. Thawing of permafrost soils release methane
. Methane has 25 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide
. Reacent methane emissions of world’s soils were estimated between 150 and 250 million metric tons (2008)
Estimated annual net methane emission rate at the end of the 20 th century for the northern region was 51 million metric tons. Net methane emissions from permafrost regions north included 64 % from Russia
, 11 % from Canada
and 7 % from Alaska
(2004). When water is released also the new arctic lakes may be significant methane sources.The business-as-usual scenarios estimate the Arctic methane emissions from permafrost thawing and rising temperatures to range from 54 to 105 million metric tons of methane per year (2006).
According to Greenpeace
the annual costs for the Russian oil and gas companies of the permafrost thawing are 1.9 billion € (2009). 60 % of Siberia
have been covered by permafrost. The area includes 20 cities. Soil thawing increase erosion of land.
higher temperatures may increase the frequency of wildfires. In Russia this includes the risk of peat
land fires. Peat fire emissions may be more harmful for human health than forest fires. Scientist alarmed of the peatfires in Indonesia
in 2004: “Burning peat could be a major contributor to the as yet unexplained accelerating build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere since 1998.” In October 2004 in Borneo regionally the atmosphere was covered in thick smoke, visibility was 100 metres, schools shut and flights cancelled.
According to Wetlands International
the wild fires in Moskow July 2010 were mainly 80-90 % from dewatered peatlands. According to UN dewatered bogs cause 6 % of human global warming emissions. MoskoWu air was filled with peat fire emissions in July 2010 and regionally visibility was below 300 metres.
25.4%, US
17.8% and India 5.3%.
Russia was the 5th top emitter of all greenhouse gas emissions including building
and deforestation
in 2005: China 16.4%, US: 15.7%, 3. Brazil 6.5%, 4. Indonesia
4.6%, 5. Russia 4.6%, 6. India
4.2%, 7. Japan 3.1%, 8. Germany
2.3%, 9. Canada 1.8%, and 10. Mexico
:1.6%.
In the cumulative emissions between 1850 and 2007 the top emittors were: 1. US 28.8%, 2. China: 9.0%, 3. Russia: 8.0%, 4. Germany
6.9%, 5. UK 5.8%, 6. Japan: 3.9 %, 7. France
: 2.8%, 8. India
2.4%, 9. Canada: 2.2% and 10. Ukraine
2.2%.
, oil shale
, lignite
and coal
are among the most harmful energy sources in respect to the global warming emissions.
Peat
is often more harmful energy source than coal
for global warming
. Peat has been used as energy source in Russia. In 2005 peat production was 8 % of world total in Russia. This includes both energy and agricultural use.
Russia have also used oil shale
for energy.
Russia produced, used and imported coal in 2008. In addition to the environmentally and in human health respect harmful emissions of coal the coal mining was also dangerous work in Russia in 2008. Serious accidents have been reported.
According to IEA
the share of coal
and peat
electricity was 19 % of the gross electricity production in 2008 in Russia (187 TWh / 1,038 TWh).
was 20 % of warming emissions in 1990.
According to FAO
(2007) more than half of the world forests are in five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, US and China.. 2/3 of world forests are in 10 countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, US, China, Australia, Kongo, Indonesia, Peru and India. Russian challeges for forests include control of illegal logging, corruption
, forest fires and land use.
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
related issues in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. This includes the climate politics, contribution in the global warming and the influence of the global warming in Russia. In 2009 Russia was ready to decline emissions 20-25 % from 1990 level to 2020.
Kyoto protocol
When Russia underlined the Kyoto protocolKyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change , aimed at fighting global warming...
it came in force 16.2-2005. Russia ratified the agreement three months earlier. This agreement did not cause emission cuts for Russia due to an earlier drop in emissions compared to year 1990 by other reasons.
G8
Six G8 countries would have been ready for the agreement to “at least halve global CO2 emissions by 2050” in 2007. Russia and the US did not agree.IPCC
According to IPCCIPCC
IPCC may refer to:*Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the United Nations*Independent Police Complaints Commission, of England and Wales*Irish Peatland Conservation Council...
(2007) climate change effected temperature increase is greater at higher northern latitudes. The temperature increases may effect e.g. agricultural and forestry management at Northern Hemisphere higher latitudes, such as earlier spring planting of crops, the frequency of wildfires, alterations in disturbance of forests due to pests, the health risks due to heat-waves, changes in infectious diseases and allergenic pollen andchanges tohuman activities in the Arctic e.g. hunting and travel over snow and ice. From 1900 to 2005, precipitation increased in northern Europe and northern and central Asia. Changes may effect inland flash floods, more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion, reduced snow cover and species losses.
Permafrost
PermafrostPermafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
thawing may be a serious cause for concern. It is believed that carbon storage in permafrost globally is in the region of 1600 Gt equivalent to twice the atmospheric pool. Protection peatlands from drainage and clearance slows down therate of greenhouse gases and gives benefits for biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
.
Permafrost
Permafrost
In geology, permafrost, cryotic soil or permafrost soil is soil at or below the freezing point of water for two or more years. Ice is not always present, as may be in the case of nonporous bedrock, but it frequently occurs and it may be in amounts exceeding the potential hydraulic saturation of...
is ground that has been frozen for two or more years. In most arctic areas it is from a few to several hundred metres thick. Thawing of permafrost soils release methane
Methane
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest alkane, the principal component of natural gas, and probably the most abundant organic compound on earth. The relative abundance of methane makes it an attractive fuel...
. Methane has 25 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
. Reacent methane emissions of world’s soils were estimated between 150 and 250 million metric tons (2008)
Estimated annual net methane emission rate at the end of the 20 th century for the northern region was 51 million metric tons. Net methane emissions from permafrost regions north included 64 % from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, 11 % from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and 7 % from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
(2004). When water is released also the new arctic lakes may be significant methane sources.The business-as-usual scenarios estimate the Arctic methane emissions from permafrost thawing and rising temperatures to range from 54 to 105 million metric tons of methane per year (2006).
According to Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
the annual costs for the Russian oil and gas companies of the permafrost thawing are 1.9 billion € (2009). 60 % of Siberia
Siberia
Siberia is an extensive region constituting almost all of Northern Asia. Comprising the central and eastern portion of the Russian Federation, it was part of the Soviet Union from its beginning, as its predecessor states, the Tsardom of Russia and the Russian Empire, conquered it during the 16th...
have been covered by permafrost. The area includes 20 cities. Soil thawing increase erosion of land.
Wildfires
According to IPCCIPCC
IPCC may refer to:*Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, of the United Nations*Independent Police Complaints Commission, of England and Wales*Irish Peatland Conservation Council...
higher temperatures may increase the frequency of wildfires. In Russia this includes the risk of peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
land fires. Peat fire emissions may be more harmful for human health than forest fires. Scientist alarmed of the peatfires in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
in 2004: “Burning peat could be a major contributor to the as yet unexplained accelerating build-up of CO2 in the atmosphere since 1998.” In October 2004 in Borneo regionally the atmosphere was covered in thick smoke, visibility was 100 metres, schools shut and flights cancelled.
According to Wetlands International
Wetlands International
Wetlands International is a global organisation that works to sustain and restore wetlands and their resources for people and biodiversity. It is an independent, not-for-profit, global organisation, supported by government and NGO membership from around the world...
the wild fires in Moskow July 2010 were mainly 80-90 % from dewatered peatlands. According to UN dewatered bogs cause 6 % of human global warming emissions. MoskoWu air was filled with peat fire emissions in July 2010 and regionally visibility was below 300 metres.
Statistical contribution
Russia was 4nd top emitter by CO2 2009 5.2% of total behind ChinaClimate change in China
Climate change in China is a contentious issue since it is not required to be a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol yet it is responsible for one of the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions....
25.4%, US
Climate change in the United States
There is an international interest in issues surrounding global warming in the United States due to the U.S. position in world affairs and the U.S.'s high level of greenhouse gas emissions per capita.-Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States:...
17.8% and India 5.3%.
Russia was the 5th top emitter of all greenhouse gas emissions including building
Building
In architecture, construction, engineering, real estate development and technology the word building may refer to one of the following:...
and deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
in 2005: China 16.4%, US: 15.7%, 3. Brazil 6.5%, 4. Indonesia
Energy in Indonesia
Energy in Indonesia describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Indonesia. In 2009 Indonesia produced oil, coal, natural gas and palm oil, utilized also as energy raw material in 2010. Renewable energy potential in Indonesia is high: solar, wind, hydro and geothermal...
4.6%, 5. Russia 4.6%, 6. India
Energy in India
Energy in India describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in India. Energy policy of India describes the politics of India related to energy. Electricity sector in India is the main article of electricity in India....
4.2%, 7. Japan 3.1%, 8. Germany
Energy in Germany
Energy in Germany describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Germany. Energy policy of Germany will describe the politics of Germany related to energy more in detail. Electricity sector in Germany is the main article of electricity in Germany...
2.3%, 9. Canada 1.8%, and 10. Mexico
Energy in Mexico
Energy in Mexico describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Mexico. Energy policy of Mexico will describe the he energy policy in the politics of Mexico more in detail...
:1.6%.
In the cumulative emissions between 1850 and 2007 the top emittors were: 1. US 28.8%, 2. China: 9.0%, 3. Russia: 8.0%, 4. Germany
Energy in Germany
Energy in Germany describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Germany. Energy policy of Germany will describe the politics of Germany related to energy more in detail. Electricity sector in Germany is the main article of electricity in Germany...
6.9%, 5. UK 5.8%, 6. Japan: 3.9 %, 7. France
Energy in France
Energy in France describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in France. Energy policy of France will describe more in detail the politics of France related to energy. Electricity sector in France is the main article of electricity in France.-Overview:-Companies:Électricité...
: 2.8%, 8. India
Energy in India
Energy in India describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in India. Energy policy of India describes the politics of India related to energy. Electricity sector in India is the main article of electricity in India....
2.4%, 9. Canada: 2.2% and 10. Ukraine
Energy in Ukraine
Energy in Ukraine describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Ukraine.Ukraine has depended on Russia for most energy supplies, especially natural gas There was low prices for natural gas until 2009. Ukraine tries to diversify energy sources.- Overview :-Gas:Ukraine was...
2.2%.
Energy: Peat, oil shale and coal
PeatPeat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
, oil shale
Oil shale
Oil shale, an organic-rich fine-grained sedimentary rock, contains significant amounts of kerogen from which liquid hydrocarbons called shale oil can be produced...
, lignite
Lignite
Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad,is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat...
and coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
are among the most harmful energy sources in respect to the global warming emissions.
Peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
is often more harmful energy source than coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
for global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
. Peat has been used as energy source in Russia. In 2005 peat production was 8 % of world total in Russia. This includes both energy and agricultural use.
Russia have also used oil shale
Oil shale
Oil shale, an organic-rich fine-grained sedimentary rock, contains significant amounts of kerogen from which liquid hydrocarbons called shale oil can be produced...
for energy.
Russia produced, used and imported coal in 2008. In addition to the environmentally and in human health respect harmful emissions of coal the coal mining was also dangerous work in Russia in 2008. Serious accidents have been reported.
According to IEA
International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis...
the share of coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
and peat
Peat
Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...
electricity was 19 % of the gross electricity production in 2008 in Russia (187 TWh / 1,038 TWh).
Deforestation
Global deforestationDeforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
was 20 % of warming emissions in 1990.
According to FAO
Fão
Fão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
(2007) more than half of the world forests are in five countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, US and China.. 2/3 of world forests are in 10 countries: Russia, Brazil, Canada, US, China, Australia, Kongo, Indonesia, Peru and India. Russian challeges for forests include control of illegal logging, corruption
Corruption
Corruption usually refers to spiritual or moral impurity.Corruption may also refer to:* Corruption , an American crime film* Corruption , a British horror film...
, forest fires and land use.
See also
- Protected areas of Russia
- Environmental issues in RussiaEnvironmental issues in RussiaThere are numerous environmental issues in Russia. Many of the issues have been attributed to policies during the Soviet Union, a time when officials felt that pollution control was an unnecessary hindrance to economic development and industrialization...