The preparation of a long-term program for geological exploration of the Arctic region was announced by deputy minister for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic, Alexander Krutikov, at an online seminar at the Valdai International Discussion Club.
According to the deputy minister, now his department is studying the existing trends in world markets to prepare such a program. At the same time, he noted that the problem of climate change in the Arctic is not only ecological, but also economic.
“Judging by the experts’ estimates, one of the main reasons for the situation that we all see in Norilsk is the degradation of permafrost. This is a problem that has become not only an environmental, but also a major economic problem”, – TASS quoted Alexander Krutikov.
He also explained that a group of more than 30 leading scientists of the country in the field of climate change in its various aspects has been formed. According to the deputy minister, the damage to the country’s economy that climate change can cause is underestimated.
“We understand that in the future, not all the resources that exist in the Arctic will be in the global economy’s demand, and it is stupid to invest in those minerals that the world may not need in 10-15 years”, Alexander Krutikov added.
As the This is Taimyr previously wrote, the melting of permafrost can affect not only the infrastructure of northern cities. Scientists fear that polar bears, the largest land predators of the planet, could disappear by the end of the century due to climate warming.
Text: Mikhail Tuaev, Photo: open sources
