OREANDA-NEWS At the end of 2017, the average annual air temperature in the Arctic zone of Russia exceeded the norm by more than three degrees. According to the report of the Ministry of natural resources, warming was a record in the twenty-first century and could have serious consequences.  Also, the amount of precipitation in the Russian Arctic exceeded the norm by 13%.

The Department noted that we are talking about both biological and economic negative effects. Melting glaciers in the Arctic ocean will lead to lower prices and shorter transportation times. However, the coastal regions will be under water.

If permafrost continues to melt, the wind speed will also change. The latter is dangerous for drilling rigs, which are located on the Arctic offshore. Warming will cause the destruction of infrastructure (impact on the bearing capacity of pile foundations), transport risks (destruction of linear facilities) and a reduction in the duration of operation of winter roads on rivers.

Experts emphasize that most of the temperature differed from the norm in the Eastern sector of the Russian Arctic — in Yakutia and Chukotka. The average temperature for the year in these areas was higher than normal by 4.07 degrees.

Warming, according to the report of theMinistry of natural resources, will continue. Its intensity depends on "future concentrations of greenhouse gases and other anthropogenic forcing".

Earlier, the media suggested that Russia will have its own "Suez channel". The Northern sea route could be an alternative as global warming approaches.

"The forecast of the Ministry of natural resources is disappointing: warming will continue, and with what intensity — depends on "future concentrations of greenhouse gases and other anthropogenic influences," the material says.

Earlier oceanographers at Yale University said they found a "heat bomb" in the ice of the Arctic.