According to Alexey Kokorin, a climatologist and expert at the "Nature and People" foundation, seal pups born in April and early May face a serious threat due to climate change. Previously, precipitation during this period was rare, but now rain has become a common occurrence, putting newborn seals at risk of hypothermia since their fur does not protect against moisture. He reported this to RIA Novosti.
Kokorin also noted that the primary factor contributing to the acceleration of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, which intensifies the greenhouse effect.
"The situation with seals in the White Sea looks quite alarming, as adapting to new conditions is becoming impossible for them. Pups born in April or early May are confronted with frequent rains that wet their fur and lead to death from cold. Thus, it becomes difficult for them to survive in the White Sea," he explained.
Furthermore, the climatologist informed RIA Novosti that over the past 50 years, the temperature in Russia has increased by an average of 2.5 degrees, which exceeds global averages, where the average temperature has risen by about one degree.
