A gradual increase in temperature on planet Earth entails many negative consequences, including the extinction of some animal species and the unsuitability of part of the now fertile land for further living. However, scientists from the Krasnoyarsk Science Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the NASA Research Center have found that global warming can revive such harsh and sparsely populated places as Siberia. Perhaps, at the end of the 21st century, many more people will live in this territory than now.
At the moment, only 27% of Russia's inhabitants live in Siberia. This is due to the fact that the average temperature in this region rarely exceeds zero degrees, and 65% of its area is occupied by permafrost, unsuitable for growing crops. Also in Siberia there is relatively little rainfall, which also creates unfavorable conditions for life.
Siberia will become livable
To find out how the gradual increase in temperature would affect the region with harsh conditions, scientists considered two scenarios. The first was called RCP 2.6 - the researchers suggested that humanity will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere, and the temperature will rise slowly. The second scenario, called RCP 8.5, implies that emissions will increase and warming will be more intense.
Based on these scenarios, the researchers made some very interesting calculations. So, if mankind takes seriously the reduction of emissions into the atmosphere, by the end of the XXI century the average January temperature in Siberia will rise by 3.4 degrees, and the July temperature - by 1.9 degrees Celsius. If emissions increase, January temperatures will rise by 9.1 degrees and July temperatures by 5.7 degrees Celsius. Average precipitation will increase by 60-140 millimeters.
Population will grow in Siberia
Promotional video:
It turns out that in any case, by the end of the century, Siberia will become a more hospitable place with moderate temperatures and humidity. If now 65% of the territory is covered with permafrost, then by 2080 only 40% of it will remain. In theory, thanks to all these favorable factors, the population in Siberia will increase by as much as five times.
The authors note that the habitability of Siberia will increase only if the population in Russia increases. At the moment, demographers believe that this indicator will decrease by 1.5 times over this century.
However, humanity may not survive until 2080 - at least, according to the Australian group of analysts Breakthrough. According to experts, civilization is already on the verge of self-destruction, and the critical point will be reached in 2050.
Ramis Ganiev