TOMSK, Dec 23 –
RIA Tomsk. Tomsk State University (TSU) intends to contribute to the implementation
of the state strategy for the development of Arctic resources until 2035; the
university will study the impact of global warming on the indigenous peoples of
the Arctic zone, as well as train specialists capable of introducing new
technologies in the Arctic, the press service of the university said.
Earlier it was
reported that the international scientific network SecNet was created within
the framework of the Trans-Siberian Scientific Way (TSSW) Institute of Tomsk
State University (TSU) as a tool for studying Siberia and the Arctic. Its
structure includes leading institutes of Russia, Great Britain, Norway, the USA
and Canada. The SecNet partners are Iteract II, University of the Arctic,
American National Ecological Observatory Network NEON, and Canadian mountain
station network.
"At the end
of October 2020, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree "Basic
Principles of Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic to 2035". TSU,
on the basis of which operates the international network SecNet, uniting
leading Russian and foreign researchers of the northern territories, is ready
to make its contribution in the implementation of a new state strategy", –
is said in the message.
Save the peoples
of the North
Studies by
scientists from SecNet showed that over 50 years the temperature in the north
of Siberia has increased by almost four degrees. The most significant changes
in climate and ecosystems over the past half century have occurred in the
Eurasian Arctic and Siberia. It is necessary to quickly develop mechanisms for
adapting to warming, otherwise, serious socio-economic upheavals threaten
humanity, the report says with reference to SecNet scientific director Terry
Callaghan.
© предоставлено Алексеем Ольшуковым
"Already
now, people living in its territory are feeling the detrimental effect of
climate change, and this tendency will worsen over time. For example, the late
arrival of winter and the establishment of a snow cover lead to the freezing of
reindeer lichen, which is the main food crop for deer... All this can disrupt
the usual way of life of local peoples, many of whom live thanks to reindeer
husbandry", – the press service quoted Callaghan.
According to the
scientist, in order to reduce risks, it is important to establish interaction
between researchers, the population of the northern territories and the
authorities. So, in 2019, on the initiative of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous
Okrug administration, a consortium was created to study environmental changes
in the Arctic and the impact of these transformations on the residents of the
Okrug. The consortium includes TSU, St. Petersburg State University, Northern
(Arctic) Federal University and a number of other research centers of the
Russian Federation.
Struggle for
resources
At the same
time, the preservation of the usual way of life of the indigenous peoples
should not interfere with the development of the natural resources of the
Arctic zone, the report says. According to Science journal, about 83 billion
barrels of oil and about 1,550 trillion cubic meters of natural gas lie under
the ice of the Arctic. Most of the natural gas is located off the coast of
Russia.
Most of the
Russian reserves of gold (40%), chromium and manganese (90%), platinum metals
(47%), primary diamonds (100%), vermiculite (100%), coal, nickel, antimony
cobalt, tin, tungsten, mercury (50%) and other useful resources are
concentrated in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.
© Валерий Доронин
The key task in
the implementation of the "Arctic Strategy" of the Russian Federation
is the priority development of fundamental and applied scientific research in
the Arctic. The emphasis in the study of Arctic mineral deposits will be on
integrated sea expeditions. One of the tasks assigned to the universities of
Russia is to provide qualified personnel: researchers, technicians, engineers,
says the report.
"TSU is
ready to start training specialists in such areas as biogeochemistry of water
bodies, environmental purification, study and assessment of the ecological
state of water areas, monitoring of natural hazards and others", – the
press service quotes Director of TSU Research Center Trans-Siberian Scientific
Way Lyudmila Borilo.