Floods and dry periods will increase in Finland too – Finnish scientists comment on climate report
The pace of climate change is accelerating, according to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in its report.
Scientists are calling for immediate reductions in emissions. Climate change is increasing the number of extreme weather events around the world. Particularly in Northern Europe, the number of heavy rains is increasing.
Finnish scientists commented on the report at a press conference.
Associate Professor Annalea Lohila of the Meteorological Institute believes that in the future, periods of extreme heat, drought, heavy rains and heavy storms will occur more often in Finland.
Research Professor The Meteorological Institute Hannele Korhonen notes that in southern Finland the water level may rise by one and a half meters in the current century.
Average temperatures are rising faster in Finland and other northern regions than in the rest of the world. Over the past 40 years, the average annual air temperature in the country has grown from 0.2 to 0.4 degrees every decade.
In the future, the average air temperature in the Arctic region may rise 2-4% faster than the world average.
Due to warming, the life of species dependent on snow and ice is constantly becoming more difficult … In Finland, this applies to wolverines and Saimaa seals.
“Everything is still in our hands”
First report The IPCC was published in 1991 and the basic ideas remain the same 30 years later, concludes Jussi Kaurola , CEO of the Meteorological Institute.
– As science advances, models develop and more observations are made, knowledge is being refined, – says Kaurola.
– Everything is still in our hands, we can change something, – summarizes associate professor Annalea Lohila .
According to the professor Hannele Korhonen , the new report provides “a clearer picture of how people are influencing the changes we see.”
– We also now have a better understanding of what the future holds – says Korhonen.
Environment Minister Krista Mikkonen , for her part, said she hopes that after this report all countries will finally wake up and take action.
“There is not much time left, so concrete measures are urgently needed to remove carbon from the atmosphere,” concludes Mikkonen at the end of the press conference.