24 November, 2015

The Arctic loses 13% of ice every 10 years due to climate change

NASA

In 2014 the Arctic ice cap has shrunk to 5,02 million sq km, Nasa reports. In 1981-2010 on the contrary this figure reached 6,22 million sq km.

The Presidential Advisor on climate change A.Bedritsky highlights that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the world. 2014 was relatively hot: the average temperature hit 2,2оС above the normal, according to Roshydromet.

The scientists agree that the reason for ice melting lies in the average temperature increase, caused by greenhouse effect, which is worsening due to high concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The speed of melting is increasing drastically and there is no irreversible process. The only way to slow down is to take GHG emission reduction measures. Under the new climate agreement COP21 which will substitute for the Kyoto protocol, 196 countries will present the national Action plans – INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution).

The target set by Russia implies GHG emissions reduction by 25% of the 1990 level by 2020. In his speech on the 70th session of the General Assembly the Russian President Vladimir Putin called climate change a global challenge and voiced hope that the coming UN Climate Change Conference that will take place in Paris in December this year would deliver some feasible results. 

Learn more about Russian climate policy here.