Public Perception of Climate Change Impact on Living Conditions in a Cold Region (the case of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia))

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Abstract

Based on the materials of a sociological study conducted in August-October 2023, the characteristics of the perception by residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) of changes in the local climate and natural environment are analyzed. Residents of the republic notice significant changes in the climate, such as shifts in the onset of seasons, changes in air temperature, precipitation levels, and windiness. The population is concerned about the increasing frequency and intensity of natural phenomena caused by climate change: wildfires, thawing permafrost, destruction of roads, increasing number of mosquitoes in summer and an increasing incidence of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, ice on roads in winter. Local residents also notice appearance of new species of birds, insects, plants, animals and fish not typical for the region. Negative assessments of the impact of climate change on traditional agriculture in Yakutia predominate.

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About the authors

Yuriy I. Zhegusov

Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone of SB RAS

Author for correspondence.
Email: sociolog_ykt@mail.ru

Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Senior Researcher

Russian Federation, Yakutsk

Trofim Kh. Maximov

Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone of SB RAS

Email: tcmax@mail.ru

Dr. Sci. (Biol.), Chief Researcher

Russian Federation, Yakutsk

References

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  7. Zhozhikov A. V., Alekseeva E. K. et al. (2023) The impact of climate change on traditional types of environmental management of indigenous residents of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Mezhdunarodny`j nauchno-issledovatel`skij zhurnal [International scientific research journal]. No. 12 (138). URL: https://research-journal.org/archive/12–138–2023-december/10.23670/IRJ.2023.138.188 (accessed 10.08.2024). doi: 10.23670/IRJ.2023.138.188. (In Russ.)

Supplementary files

Supplementary Files
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1. JATS XML
2. Fig. 1. Average monthly air temperature in Yakutsk in October, November and December from 1980 to 2023. Source: Reference and information portal "Weather and Climate". URL: http://www.pogodaiklimat.ru/history/24959.htm (date of access: 10.08.2024).

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3. Fig. 2. Distribution of answers to the question: “Have you discovered new species of animals, birds, insects, fish and plants that are not typical for your region (district)?”, % of respondents

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4. Fig. 3. Distribution of answers to the question: “How have the climatic conditions in your places of residence changed for traditional agriculture?”, % of respondents

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