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As we commemorate World Snow Day, we see a heavy layer of snow outside the window. We can be happy about it not every year. Last year there was no snow not only on January 17, but most of the winter.
Climatologists note that last year, during the three winter months, only a few days were recorded when the ground was covered with snow. The average winter air temperature in 2019 was 2.6 ° C hot, while 10 years ago the average was 2.8 ° C cold. Does the cold that recently visited Lithuania give us hope that we have succeeded in curbing climate change and will be able to have a traditional winter every year?
“We have not seen a true Lithuanian winter for a long time, so most of us rush to enjoy its pleasures. Although at first glance this climate is positive, there is no reason to expect that the processes of climate change have changed significantly. Since a cold week in Lithuania, we cannot judge global climate change, and long-term observations allow us to predict that the climate in Lithuania will continue to warm, ”says Remigijus Lapinskas, president of the Institute for Green Policy.
Although at first glance this climate is positive, there is no reason to expect that the processes of climate change have fundamentally changed, says R. Lapinskas.
Extremetime in Japan and Spain
Climate change is not just an annual increase in air temperature, but also an increase in extreme weather events. For example, a significant drop in air temperature where it is normally hot or, conversely, an increase in temperature where it should be cold. R. Lapinskas warns that unusual climatic phenomena are perfectly illustrated by the snow records recorded in the last week in countries such as Japan or Spain.
“In a few days, the snow cover in northern Japan reached almost one meter. Although snow is not very rare in the area, it is surprising that the amount of snow falling is twice the usual average. The situation is similar in Spain. Madrid has the most snow in half a century. These extreme events pose many challenges for countries that are not adapted to that climate. Especially in the fields of transportation and heat economy. Sometimes it even demands people’s lives, “says R. Lapinskas.
Photo from personal album / Remigijus Lapinskas
He also recalled the events of June last year in the Arctic region, when a record heat of 38 degrees Celsius was recorded in Siberia, one of the coldest cities. Each country or territory has its own climatic conditions, and radical changes inevitably affect the environment. For example, the warm climate in Lithuania is expected to be unfavorable for conifers and will be displaced by deciduous forests. Experts are convinced that changes in climatic conditions will also create favorable conditions for the breeding of animal species that have not lived here before.
Who Needs Snow?
“We usually assess climate change through the prism of everyday personal experiences. If there is no snow in the winter, we are saddened that we cannot get the children to sled, but we are glad that we will receive lower heating bills. due to warm weather. Unfortunately, the problem is much deeper. For example, slow melting of snow in spring is very important for soil irrigation, so winter without snow can affect summer weather, state of water bodies and even drought and hydrological fires, ”said R. Lapinskas.
Increasingly, due to the warmer weather, snow is replaced by rain in summer. According to the expert, they are filtered from soil chemicals used in agriculture, which enter water bodies with rainwater. Contaminated water damages the entire aquatic ecosystem. Droughts are increasingly common in the summer. For the third consecutive year, a hydrological drought was declared in Lithuania. However, he points out that Lithuania is in a fairly favorable geographical position and we can enjoy abundant water resources. In some parts of the world, the situation is the opposite, and thawing has a vital impact on freshwater resources.
The slow melting of snow in spring is very important for soil irrigation, therefore, winter without snow can affect summer weather, the state of water bodies and even drought and hydrological fires, said R. Lapinskas.
“Climate change is a global problem and has no borders, so anthropogenic pollution in one country can have negative consequences in another. Therefore, the only way out is to unanimously focus and implement solutions that slow down the accelerated train of climate change, ”says the president of the Institute for Green Policy.
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