Threats

• What is one major threat to cold environments mentioned in the study material?

  Climate change
• How does temperature increase in cold environments compare to other places in the world?

  It is increasing more rapidly
• What environmental issue is caused by permafrost melting?

  It releases methane
• What activity contributes to permafrost melting during summer?

  Offroad vehicle driving
• What happens to the land when permafrost melts due to offroad vehicle driving?

  It causes damaged land and freeze tire tracks
• What are other threats to cold environments besides climate change?

  • Cultural erosion
  • Land degradation
  • Outmigration
  • Water/ocean pollution
• What is a consequence of the lack of social and employment opportunities in cold environments?

  Outmigration of young people
• How many oil spills is Russia estimated to be responsible for annually around the Russian Arctic?

  Nearly 20,000
• What has caused environmental catastrophes in the past in cold environments?

  Oil spills
• What cultural impact is mentioned as a threat to cold environments?

  Loss of native languages and cultural traditions
• How does land degradation occur in cold environments?

  Due to buildings heating up the land, especially around urban centers
• Why is the permafrost important for buildings like the Svalbard Global Seedbank?

  It helps keep the seeds preserved
• What could happen if land degradation leads to large areas of land collapsing due to melting permafrost?

  It could ruin habitats
• How could the threat of land degradation be managed to reduce long-term damage?

  • Implementing sustainable building practices
  • Monitoring and regulating offroad vehicle use
  • Restoring damaged land areas