Model estimates of moistening conditions on the Russian plains by the middle of the 21st century

The spatiotemporal variations of long-term values of annual precipitation, annual radiation balance, and radiation index of dryness by the middle of the 21st century as compared with the last two decades of the 20th century were investigated using the results of numerical simulations based on the atmosphere-ocean general circulation models (AOGCMs). According to the model scenarios, the variations of moistening conditions follow the arid and arid-humid combined types. All models predict the significant moistening reduction in the south of European Russia by the middle of the 21st century. Studied is the reaction of boundaries of moistening zones in subboreal flat landscapes of Russia to the climate change. It is demonstrated that in spite of different directions of the spatial shift of moistening zone boundaries predicted by the climate models, these changes remain within the interannual selective variability.     

Summertime polar front over the Russian plains

The geographical position of the climatological polar front over the Russian plains in summer of 1948–1960, 1961–1990, and 1991–2007 is detailed. The location of the polar front is derived using the frequency of cyclonic centers and the module of horizontal temperature gradient computed from the reanalysis data of UEA CRU 2.5° × 2.5°. The East European and Asian branches of the polar front are reliably distinguished by all indicators. The geographical position of branches differs from S.P. Khromov’s polar front map in July in details only. The present-day southward shift of the polar front over the East European Plain and the northward shift over the West Siberian Plain are revealed relative to the period of 1948–1990.     

Global climate changes and moisture conditions in the intracontinental arid zones

In order to estimate a transient response of the local hydrological cycle and vegetation cover in the African monsoon area to global climate changes, a simple two-dimensional water vapor transport model coupled with a carbon cycle model for the soil was used. The key difference from other models is that we take into account a positive feedback between the precipitation and development of the vegetation root system in the underlying surface. As our calculation shows, this feedback is responsible for a long-term transient response of local hydrological cycles to the global temperature changes. In the case of a four component vegetation system - tropical forests, savannah, semi desert and desert, (and 2 °C ocean surface water warming), a new steady-state is reached in about 1500 years.In previous works of other authors, the increase of summer precipitations during Holocene or Last Interglacial could be explained only as a result of the surface temperature increase in the intracontinental parts of Africa. However, from paleodata indicates, the temperature in the intracontinental regions of Africa rather decreased during warm epochs of geological past: Holocene optimum, Last Interglacial and middle Pliocene climatic optimum. Our simple model simulations agree with both paleoprecipitation and paleotemperature data.     

Assessment of forthcoming climate changes on the territory of the Russian Federation

A brief characterization of observed climatic changes in surface temperature is presented for the globe and the Russian Federation. In accordance with this characteristic, observed changes are indicative of global warming, most pronounced after the 1970s. The skill in simulating a global climate in the 20th century by modern climate models is analyzed. It is shown that climate models satisfactorily reproduce the fields of long–term means, the seasonal cycle, and tendencies of changes in some meteorological objects, whereas their interannual variability (after removal of the trend) is not virtually simulated by the models. An approach to constructing a strategic forecast of forthcoming climatic changes in the Russian Federation for the next decades is discussed, and recommendations on its using are formulated. A variant of a probabilistic strategic forecast of air temperature for the 30-year period of 2008–2037 over Russia is proposed.     

Interdecadal changes of vegetation transition zones and their responses to climate in Northeast China

According to the concept of ecoclimatic factor??s guarantee rate, this study purposes to quantitatively analyze the interdecadal changes of the four major vegetation transition zones in Northeast China based on the warmth index first developed by Kira and the humidity index put forward by Xu during the period 1961?C2007. On this basis, the responses of the interdecadal changes of vegetation transition zones to climate were analyzed. The results indicated that latitudinal vegetation transition zones had been moving laggingly to higher latitude (shifting upwards in altitude) and that longitudinal vegetation transition zones had been shifting slowly toward humid area in the whole sequence, whereas the shifts were fluctuant in stages. The changes of vegetation transition zones of Northeast China expressed in distribution and bandwidth responded to climate change, not only in the whole sequence but also in stages.     

Spatial modelling of summer climate indices based on local climate zones: expected changes in the future climate of Brno,Czech Republic

Climatic Change - With global climate change ongoing, there is growing concern about future living conditions in urban areas. This contribution presents the modelled spatial distribution of two...     

Spatial changes of Extended De Martonne climatic zones affected by climate change in Iran

In order to better understand the effect associated with global climate change on Iran’s climate condition, it is important to quantify possible shifts in different climatic types in the future. To this end, monthly mean minimum and maximum temperature, and precipitation from 181 synoptic meteorological stations (average 1970–2005) have been collected from the meteorological organization of Iran. In this paper, to study spatial changes of Iran’s climatic zones affected by climate changes, Extended De Martonne’s classification (originally formulated by De Martonne and extended by Khalili (1992)) was used. Climate change scenarios were simulated in two future climates (average conditions during the 2050s and the 2080s) under each of the SRES A1B and A2, for the CSIRO-MK3, HadCM3, and CGCM3 climate models. Coarse outputs of GCMs were downscaled by delta method. We produced all maps for three time periods (one for the current and two for the future) according to Extended De Martonne’s classification. Finally, for each climatic zone, changes between the current and the future were compared. As the main result, simulated changes indicate shifts to warmer and drier zones. For example, in the current, extra arid-cold (A1.1m2) climate is covering the largest area of the country (21.4 %), whereas in both A1B and A2 scenarios in the 2050s and the 2080s, extra arid-moderate (A1.1m3) and extra arid-warm (A1.1m4) will be the climate and will occupy the largest area of the country, about 21 and 38 %, respectively. This analysis suggests that the global climate change will have a profound effect on the future distribution of severe aridity in Iran.     

Temporal change of climate zones in China in the context of climate warming

In China, ten climate types were classified using the K-means cluster analysis based on monthly temperature and precipitation data from 753 national meteorological stations for the period 1966–2005. However, 11 mountain climate stations, which are located in southeast China, were classified as one type due to their distinct climate characteristic that differentiated them from other stations. This type could not represent the climate characteristic of this region because all climate stations in this type were located at high-elevation mountains. Thus, it was eliminated when defining climate zones based on climate types. Therefore, nine climate zones were defined in China. Moreover, the temporal change of climate zones was detected in 20-year intervals (1966–1985 and 1986–2005). Although 48 stations changed their climate zones between these two periods, the whole pattern of all climate zones remained stable in these two periods. However, the boundaries between some climate zones changed slightly due to inconsistent variation of regional temperature and precipitation. The most obvious change was the eastern movement of the boundary between an arid temperate zone and a sub-humid temperate zone. There was also a northern shift of the boundary between a tropic zone and a southern subtropic zone. All these changes were probably connected with the climate change in recent 40 years.     

Consequences of climate change for the soil climate in Central Europe and the central plains of the United States

This study aims to evaluate soil climate quantitatively under present and projected climatic conditions across Central Europe (12.1°–18.9° E and 46.8°–51.1° N) and the U.S. Central Plains (90°–104° W and 37°–49° N), with a special focus on soil temperature, hydric regime, drought risk and potential productivity (assessed as a period suitable for crop growth). The analysis was completed for the baselines (1961–1990 for Europe and 1985–2005 for the U.S.) and time horizons of 2025, 2050 and 2100 based on the outputs of three global circulation models using two levels of climate sensitivity. The results indicate that the soil climate (soil temperature and hydric soil regimes) will change dramatically in both regions, with significant consequences for soil genesis. However, the predicted changes of the pathways are very uncertain because of the range of future climate systems predicted by climate models. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that the risk of unfavourable dry years will increase, resulting in greater risk of soil erosion and lower productivity. The projected increase in the variability of dry and wet events combined with the uncertainty (particularly in the U.S.) poses a challenge for selecting the most appropriate adaptation strategies and for setting adequate policies. The results also suggest that the soil resources are likely be under increased pressure from changes in climate.     

中国建筑气候分区和采暖气候条件变化研究

利用1951-1980年和1981-2010年两个气候期的月平均气温数据,对中国大陆地区建筑气候分区进行对比,讨论建筑气候分区的变化;并基于近气候期的建筑气候分区以逐日气温为基础,讨论了1951-2018年不同分区采暖气候条件变化特征。结果表明：与1951-1980年相比,1981-2010年严寒地区范围有所缩减,南界北移;寒冷区、夏热冬冷区、夏热冬暖区北进,温和区西扩,夏热冬暖区范围增大。中国大陆采暖度日数、采暖日数、采暖日均强度分布一致,东部随纬向增加,西部随海拔增加;采暖度日数严寒地区最大,寒冷地区其次,夏热冬暖地区最小;1951-2018年,中国大陆各建筑分区的采暖度日数都呈显著减少趋势,减少速率严寒地区最大,温和地区最小;夏热冬冷地区距平百分率的波动最大,严寒地区波动最小。1998-2012年,全国各建筑气候分区采暖度日数和采暖日均强度在此期间均表现为增加,其中夏热冬暖地区增加趋势通过了0.05显著性检验。     

A first approach to calculate BIOCLIM variables and climate zones for Antarctica

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - For testing the hypothesis that macroclimatological factors determine the occurrence, biodiversity, and species specificity of both symbiotic partners of...     

Russian industry responses to climate change: the case of the metals and mining sector

Globally, the metals and mining sector is a major contributor to GHG emissions. Climate change also poses significant challenges for the industry in a number of ways, including risks to infrastructure and equipment, transport routes and the cost of energy supplies. The sector is of particular importance to Russia, and yet very little is known about how the sector positions itself in relation to this key issue. This article conducts an in-depth look at the response of the Russian metals and mining sector to climate change. It looks at the key actors, their willingness to engage with the issue of climate change, preferred policy options and the strategies adopted to further their interests. The role of companies, prominent individuals and business associations is considered. The evidence suggests that, although there is widespread acceptance of climate change as a phenomenon, there is significant variation within the sector, with some companies proactive on climate policy, and others more reluctant. Different responses are attributed to reputational factors and the disproportionate influence of international and domestic policy developments on companies. Russian coal companies, directly threatened by any international attempts to reduce coal consumption, display the strongest opposition to efforts aimed at curbing emissions. The Russian government, far from thinking of transitioning to a low carbon future, is vigorously trying to expand the coal industry.

Key policy insights

• Understanding how Russia’s domestic position on climate policy is formed is fundamental for understanding the factors driving its international engagement on climate policy.

• The Russian government has no plans to phase out coal and is instead actively seeking to expand the coal industry. This highlights the obstacles to Russia’s commitment to climate policy at both the domestic and international levels.

• The socio-economic consequences of climate policy for the Russian coal industry are a key consideration for the government, with some regions heavily dependent on the industry for employment and electricity generation.

     

About modern climate state and suggestions on actions to counteract climate changes

Over the last 20 years the mankind has been concerned about the problem of anthropogenic climate warming influencing noticeably many physical and biological systems and processes. Both negative and positive consequences are observed herein. Mankind attempts to take actions against climate warming using the efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions (first of all CO₂), however, these attempts give little results. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been thoroughly assessing climate changes and their consequences over 20 years. It was noted that average global temperature over the last 100 years increased by 0.74°C. In the last report of the IPCC (2007), it was shown that to prevent warming by 2050 (at acceptable level) the CO₂ global emission should be cut by 50–85%, what is technologically impossible. Other methods are suggested to stabilize a modern climate, in particular, to introduce fine-disperse aerosol particles into the lower stratosphere. It is noteworthy that the Meeting of Presidents (and their Representatives) of Academies of Sciences from 13 countries to prepare a Statement for the G8 Summit in Tokyo in 2007, considered in detail the author’s proposal and insert a paragraph, where the research of that method (including holding a conference) was approved.     

An approach to adaptation to climate changes in Poland

Adopted by COP 10 (Dec 1/CP.10) and approved by the MOP1, the Buenos Aires programme of adaptation and response measures opens doors to intensify preparations for expected climate change. By this decision the COP, requested the SBSTA to develop a structured 5-year programme of work of the SBSTA on the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of impacts of, and vulnerability and adaptation to, climate change. Consequently, the COP, by its decision 2/CP.11, adopted the “Five-year programme of work of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change” Finally during COP12 this programme was approved as “Nairobi Work Programme on impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change”. This programme has fundamental significance not only for developing countries, but also for industrialized nations in which some sectors of the or social life are particularly vulnerable to climate change, specifically, inter alia EIT countries and new EU Member States. Further development of this adaptation programme economy should contain steps that provide optimum economic and social effectiveness, risk management, identification of vulnerable sectors and gaps in knowledge, preparation of a list of policy options, including an analysis of cost effectiveness, selection of the most effective policies, and a preparedness implementation plan. In Poland the preliminary adaptation programme covered agriculture, water management, and coastal zone management. For the time being, gaps in knowledge and preparedness measures have been identified. An estimation of possible impact on these areas was based on chosen GCMs, and sea level rise IPCC scenarios. In conclusion, it was stated that the results achieved should be seen as a first step forward and a more comprehensive study is necessary to update the results and cover other sectors of the economy, such as health protection, spatial planning, ecosystems and forestry, and to develop specific guidelines and recommendations for policy-makers.     

Estimating changes in mortality due to climate change

A method for estimating the changes in mortality resulting from observed or projected climate changes is presented. The method avoids reliance on observed and projected changes in extreme temperatures, and also avoids the confounding effects of long-term influences on mortality such as changes in populations and improvements in medical services. The method relies on the existence of a close correlation between high-pass filtered values of a health indicator variable and a climate variable. Where such a relationship exists, the method provides a simple and robust way to estimate past and future health effects of climate trends. The method is used to estimate the effects of warming of winter temperatures on mortality amongst persons aged 65 years and above, in Melbourne, Australia. The observed warming of 0.7°C over the period 1979–2001 is estimated to have caused a decline in winter mortality of 4.5%, slightly offsetting an observed increase in mortality due to an increasing elderly population. A further 2°C warming could be expected to lead to a decline in winter mortality of 13%. The method was also tested on summer mortality of New York City residents aged 75 years and above. In this case a 2°C warming would lead to a 2.6% increase in mortality.     

Modern climate-related changes in heat supply,moistening, and productivity of the agrosphere in Russia

Climate changes observed in recent decades are analyzed, and the respective climate-related tendencies of changes in heat supply, moistening, and productivity of the agrosphere that determine the natural resourse of potential Russia are determined. The grain crop yield trends are used additionally as climate change indicators. It is shown that climate changes observed in the last 30 years promote the increase in potential agriculture productivity in most of the Russian Federation, where not less than 85% of agricultural products are produced. At the same time, the increase in climate aridity is observed in several regions of Siberia and Chernozem Center, which results in a reduced productivity of agriculture.