Russian Scientists Evacuated from Research Station

Six Russian scientists are being evacuated from their research station due to the climate change in the Arctic. The research station was built in October 2012 and was supposed to last through October of 2013. The station has disintegrated into six pieces according to an announcement from Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The breakup of the research station was caused by a long-lasting high-pressure weather pattern that activated an ocean current called the Beaufort Gyre. The station was pulled 186 miles from its starting base between January and March. Ultimately the Arctic ice fractured and now the station is no longer safe to house anyone. There is no risk to the scientists and staff at the station and a nuclear submarine will be going to pick up the workers in the coming days.

First Arctic Climate Neutral Certification Program Launched

Due to the fact that the Arctic seems remote and isolated, most people assume that the warming of the Arctic is simply an artifact of global warming. As a result, companies and organizations assume that the problems are already being addressed however through recent discoveries it is clear that the problems are still occuring thanks largely in part from corporations and organizations without proper restrictions in place.

In response, SCS Global Services launched its new Arctic Climate Neutral certification initiative. This program “establishes a new beachhead in the worldwide effort to confront and mitigate the causes of global climate change.” The program is similar to carbon neutral and carbon offset programs. It allows corporations, government agencies, organizations and individuals to establish their Arctic footprint, set reasonable mitigation goals, and set strategies for becoming Arctic Climate Neutral on a cost-effective basis.

The calculation of Arctic climate footprint is based on advanced life cycle assessment metrics. It takes into account emissions into the Arctic region, as well as emissions of global GHGs.