As people around the world talk about heatwaves, the world’s coldest towns are also feeling the heat. Life in the Arctic and sub-Arctic is changing because of climate change, which is melting ice, making infrastructure less stable, and changing the weather trends. Here are the ten coldest towns that are having a hard time dealing with the effects of climate change.
1. Russian city of Yakutsk
In the winter, Yakutsk gets as cold as -40°C, making it known as the coldest city in the world. But rising global temperatures have directly caused permafrost to melt, which has caused roads to fall and buildings to become unstable.
2. Norilsk, Russia
Norilsk is above the Arctic Circle and has a lot of factories. Its infrastructure is breaking because the permafrost is melting, which puts thousands of homes at risk.
3. Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar
It used to be stable and cold in the Mongolian capital, but now the summers are longer and the winters are harsher, which changes the customs of nomads who herd animals.
4. Canada’s Yellowknife
It can get as cold as -35°C here, but warming has shortened the ice road seasons, making it harder for people in remote areas to get to places and get around.
5. Alaska’s Fairbanks
Once known for its never-ending snow, Fairbanks now has unpredictable winters and more flames in the summer because the Arctic currents are warming up.
6. Oymyakon, Soviet Union
It is known for having record-low temperatures of -67°C, but now the frost seasons are shorter, which affects the water and heating systems in the area.
7. Nuuk, Greenland
The capital of Greenland is losing ice, and the sea level is rising, which is causing people who live and fish in the area to change how they live.
8. Harbin, China
Harbin is famous for its Ice and Snow Festival, but every year the ice statues melt faster, which is bad for both culture and the economy.
9. Norway, Troms
Changes in jet streams have made the winters in this Arctic city unusually mild and the polar nights shorter.
10. Rovaniemi, Finland
This town doesn’t snow as much in Santa’s hometown, which hurts winter tourists and local businesses.
