In the early days of the global warming debate there was a lot of optimism from the oil lobby about the upsides of the temperature increase for northern climes. One example, that has come to pass, was that warmer weather would create conditions for a flourishing wine industry in England.
Some scientists, particularly Russian advisors to the Kremlin, saw a strategic advantage in climate change. They calculated that a warmer climate would improve conditions for growing key food crops further north, particularly wheat. This would benefit Siberia. Droughts in the US would cut food production there, further altering the balance of power in Russia’s favour.
What the Russians did not apparently foresee was the melting of the permafrost, which is currently threatening up to 3 million people in Arctic regions. Landscapes are collapsing. Whole towns and dams were built on the false assumption that the ground would always be frozen and provide permanent foundations. Oil spills and sumps were likewise abandoned, believing that they would be contained because the ice would never melt.
What was hardly discussed then, has been the increasing extremes of weather that can wipe out any advantage - the windstorms and heavy rain of the last week being one surprising example.
