In Siberia, Krasnoyarsk suffocates under its "dark sky"

Audio 02:43

By: Etienne Bouche

In Russia, Krasnoyarsk is a Siberian city of more than a million inhabitants whose reputation is not very attractive: it is one of the most polluted in the country. In recent years, its inhabitants have been trying by all means to alert them to the local ecological situation. There were still several hundred to demonstrate this Saturday, February 29, to demand emergency measures.

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from our correspondent in Moscow, Etienne Bouche

In Krasnoyarsk, residents say that on “dark skies” days, they simply cannot open their windows. You should know that Krasnoyarsk is located in a basin or the city has two coal power plants, a power plant and an aluminum factory. When there is no wind, she finds herself under smog. When the level of pollution is deemed to be too high, the local authorities set up a special regime which imposes special instructions and restrictions, particularly in the school environment. These are not exceptional episodes since cumulative, they can represent up to two months per year.

This pollution is not a new phenomenon, but it has been particularly commented on in recent days

Because the Siberian city recorded an exceptionally high pollution peak. It was February 17 at 3 p.m., the “dark sky” regime was in effect. The Swiss company IQAir, which publishes an index of air quality in the world in real time, temporarily placed Krasnoyarsk at the head of the most polluted cities, before Bombay and Dacca. A few days later, the inhabitants of Krasnoyarsk received significant media support: that of Greta Thunberg who posted a photo on his Twitter account. Finally, a Russian journalist took up the subject and made a 50-minute film broadcast Thursday on YouTube. The video has already been viewed over a million times.

Красноярск! #AirPollution pic.twitter.com/VDXFZmYBzG

And what is the attitude of the authorities towards this situation?

It begins to change. Just a few years ago, the region's governor simply denied reality. Today, the authorities recognize the problem even if they generally prefer to spare heavy industries and make road traffic responsible. Krasnoyarsk is certainly the third largest vehicle fleet in the country, which is not likely to improve the ecology. The city has been included in a national air quality plan. The government can no longer afford to close its eyes since with the growing influence of social networks, this type of case can now come to the attention of the greatest number. Against the inertia of the public authorities, the Russian population is looking for media relays and social networks contribute, in their own way, to the formation of civil society.

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• Russia
• Environment
• Pollution