Putin defends climate deniers and looks forward to the Arctic melting

[applegrove]

by Samantha Page at Think Progress

https://thinkprogress.org/putin-thinks-russia-will-benefit-from-climate-change-and-communities-will-adjust-35a2014c28b5

SNIP..................


Russian President Vladimir Putin praised U.S. EPA head Scott Pruitt during a television interview on Thursday, then went on to say Russia stands to benefit from global warming, despite the fact the country has already seen deaths, wildfires, and anthrax outbreaks related to climate change.

“Climate change brings in more favorable conditions and improves the economic potential of this region,” Putin said told CNBC while attending the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk, Russia. “Today, Russia’s GDP is the result of the economic activity of this region.”

It is true that with the melting Arctic, Russia is expected to see increased shipping lanes and more moderate temperatures in its northern region. Russia is heavily invested in extracting Arctic oil reserves, as well, which could open up as the poles melt.

Putin downplayed the need to act on climate, saying, through a translator, that people like Pruitt “who are not in agreement with opponents may not be at all silly.”

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[ck4829]

1. That's what Russophobia looks like - from Putin himself

He doesn't care if the Russian people outside his circle have their lives turned upside down, have to relocate, or die from climate change; it will make Putin great, and that's all he cares about.

[msongs]

2. vast tracts of land may be more useable for farming etc with a milder climate. and russia has huge

real estate that is frozen half the year

[applegrove]

3. And that thawing ground releases methane which is several times worse for climate

change than carbon. The big fauna will die off. It will be unliveable around the equator. All those people will starve or down. Putin is such a creep.

[ck4829]

7. People live in those areas and they already have a way of life

I can guarantee that this one won't make their lives better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_peoples_of_Siberia#History

[Calculating]

4. Can't say that I blame him for that viewpoint

It's still a horrible thing, but Russia would probably benefit greatly from climate change. The Siberian tundra would go from frozen wasteland to having agricultural potential, and it would lessen the fierce winters Russia is known for. A warmer world seems like a winning situation for Russia.

Ultimately people tend to act in favor of their own self interest, and that's what Russia is doing on the Climate Change issue.

[WinkyDink]

5. Meanwhile, Bangladesh drowns. Venice drowns. Japan drowns. Our East Coast drowns.

[dembotoz]

8. None of those r in Russia

[WinkyDink]

9. Hence my word "Meanwhile."

[CK_John]

6. China considers all of Siberia east of the Urals, Asia. China plans on sharing open waters.

China just built the largest ice breaker in the world, powered by nuclear power.

If I was Putin he should look over his shoulder and Canada could be looking at China Aircraft Carrier in the Hudson Bay.