Permafrost Subsidence in Yamal Peninsula

An indigenous Nenet man with his reindeer in an area of permafrost subsidence. Here there used to be a large lake the Nenets people relied on for fishing until a huge area collapsed. Now the lake is almost dry with a tiny amount of water left in it and no fish. The entire region is under heavy threat from global warming as temperatures increase and Russia’s ancient permafrost melts.

Unique identifier: GP01VKZ

Type: Image

Shoot date: 29/07/2009

Locations: Russia, Siberia, Yamal Peninsula

Credit line: © Will Rose / Greenpeace

Ranking: ★★★★★★ (B)

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Climate Voices from Russia

The Yamal peninsula, a remote region of north-west Siberia, is under serious threat from climate change as Russia’s ancient permafrost melts. It is one of the world's last great wildernesses and home for the indigenous Nenets people where they have herded their reindeer for 1000 years. Traditionally the Nenets travel across the frozen Ob river in November and set up camp in the southern forests. These days this annual winter pilgrimage is delayed. Herders say that the peninsula's weather is increasingly unpredictable, with unseasonal snowstorms in May, and milder longer autumns. In winter temperatures used to go down to -50C, now they are typically -30C. The snow is melting sooner, quicker and faster than before. Scientists are extremely concerned that if the global temperatures continues to climb, millions of tonnes of methane locked in the permafrost will be released. A ticking time bomb, a tipping point that will accelerate climate change to irreversible levels.

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