Ecologist Roman Pukalov serves as the director of environmental programs at Green Patrol, a Russian public organization focused on ecological monitoring. He warns that climate change will pose a growing challenge for Russia, impacting both its southern and northern regions. Rising temperatures, shifts in precipitation, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events are all part of the new climate reality. In discussions with the Public News Service, Pukalov stressed the need for widespread preparation across communities, industries, and infrastructure to cope with these changes.
The Arctic is identified as a critical hotspot. Pukalov notes that the far north is warming at a pace that outstrips most other areas of the globe, with temperature gains significantly higher than the global average. This rapid warming raises the risk of permafrost thaw, which in turn threatens the stability of buildings, roads, and underground infrastructure. Areas that rely on frozen ground for support face new hazards as soils lose their strength and settle unevenly.
According to the ecologist, more than 60 percent of Russia’s territory lies within permafrost zones. He highlights the particular danger in regions where foundations are anchored into frozen soils. As thawing progresses, there is an elevated risk of structural failures that can affect residential buildings, commercial facilities, and critical industrial sites alike. This trend could necessitate widespread assessments and potential reinforcement of foundational work across vast areas.
In the Russian segment of the Arctic, industrial activities, including oil pipelines and other essential infrastructure, sit atop frozen ground. Pukalov warns that even slight thawing can alter ground conditions, increasing the likelihood of spills, leaks, and accidents. The consequence would extend beyond pristine environments to disrupt energy supply chains and local economies that depend on steady operations in remote, icy regions.
Beyond the Arctic, agricultural systems face new pressures from heat waves and prolonged droughts. Pukalov sees a future where crop calendars shift and traditional varieties may struggle under more extreme conditions. Farmers will need to adapt by selecting drought-tolerant crops and strengthening irrigation efficiency to maintain yields during dry spells. He emphasizes proactive planning, including water storage, soil moisture management, and the adoption of resilient farming practices, to minimize losses when droughts intensify.
He adds that droughts are not avoidable, but their impact can be mitigated through preparedness. Regions that experience heavy rainfall and floods will require crops that tolerate both excessive moisture and persistent rainfall events. The aim is to maintain stable production despite erratic weather patterns, reducing the risk of food shortages and price volatility for consumers.
There is a reminder for scientists and policymakers about interconnected environmental risks: a substantial portion of crucial forest ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest, faces threats from fires and droughts that threaten regional ecological stability. While this mention underscores a broader global context, it also highlights how climate stress can cascade across continents, affecting biodiversity, carbon cycles, and climate resilience far beyond national borders.
Additional studies indicate that air pollution compounds drought conditions by altering atmospheric moisture and local weather patterns. This interplay suggests that improving air quality can have ancillary benefits for water availability, soil health, and agricultural productivity. Taken together, these insights advocate for comprehensive, cross-sector strategies that address climate risks from multiple angles: energy, transport, agriculture, and urban planning. By embracing a proactive stance, Russia can strengthen resilience against a spectrum of climate-related threats while supporting sustainable economic activity and public safety.