Norwegian courts have ordered the seizure of a Russian ship in the Arctic to enforce part of a $4.22 billion compensation claim won by Ukraine’s state energy firm Naftogaz. The claim stems from Russia’s seizure of Naftogaz assets in Crimea following Moscow’s 2014 annexation.


Russia-Ukraine war: Russian ship 'Professor Molchanov' seized in Svalbard archipelago

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which contains various unique seeds from around the world, has been updated with over 7,800 new seed varieties. This bunker serves a purpose that humanity can fall back on in case of an apocalypse to start life afresh. This is why it is also known as the "Doomsday Vault". It sits under a mountain in Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. Fresh inclusions include some African (Niger) grains, olives from Spain, and ancient crops from Guatemala. Both Niger and Guatemala are first-time contributors to the vault. The vault now has an astonishing total of 1,386,102 seed varieties. However, it is not the only place on Earth where humans have stored seeds for a scenario where we need to rebuild ourselves. So-called "genebanks" are spread across the world and contain millions of seed varieties.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/polar-bears-svalbard-healthy-despite-melting-ice-1769755992167">Polar bears in Norway found fat and healthy despite rapid Arctic ice loss</a><h2>Why Svalbard Vault is the only one for long-term preservation&nbsp;</h2>However, the Svalbard vault is the only one that can conserve these seeds the longest, even if power goes out. The vault operates at a temperature of &nbsp;-18°C (-0.4°F) to create the ideal conditions for preservation. On top of that, it is covered with permafrost and stones that will keep the seeds frozen even if humans are unable to continue operations. Despite several other places storing seeds, the Svalbard vault will be the final place humans will rely on in case a climate catastrophe or war destroys everything on Earth. Those who survive can fall back on this vault to restart agriculture and grow food.&nbsp;<h2>What is wrong with other seed vaults?</h2>"Many of these (other vaults) are vulnerable, exposed not only to natural catastrophes and war, but also to avoidable disasters, such as lack of funding or poor management," Crop Trust states on its website, adding that even "a poorly functioning freezer can ruin an entire collection." This makes the Svalbard Vault the final "global backstop".&nbsp;The vault started operations in 2008 and is managed by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It can store a total of 2.5 billion seeds - 500 seeds from 4.5 million varieties of crops. It operates with "black–box conditions", which means that only the country that deposited the seeds can withdraw them. They are packed in three–ply foil packages, which are custom-made, sealed inside boxes and kept on shelves inside the Seed Vault. The location is ideal since it is a geologically stable region with low humidity levels and high above sea level. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Svalbard Global Seed Vault has received nearly 8,000 new donations from two countries and the Olive Genebank of the University of Córdoba. The secret bunker is meant to support humanity if a crisis hits Earth and we need to restart from scratch.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which contains various unique seeds from around the world, has been updated with over 7,800 new seed varieties. This bunker serves a purpose that humanity can fall back on in case of an apocalypse to start life afresh. This is why it is also known as the "Doomsday Vault". It sits under a mountain in Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. Fresh inclusions include some African (Niger) grains, olives from Spain, and ancient crops from Guatemala. Both Niger and Guatemala are first-time contributors to the vault. The vault now has an astonishing total of 1,386,102 seed varieties. However, it is not the only place on Earth where humans have stored seeds for a scenario where we need to rebuild ourselves. So-called "genebanks" are spread across the world and contain millions of seed varieties. Also Read: Polar bears in Norway found fat and healthy despite rapid Arctic ice loss Why Svalbard Vault is the only one for long-term preservation However, the Svalbard vault is the only one that can conserve these seeds the longest, even if power goes out. The vault operates at a temperature of -18°C (-0.4°F) to create the ideal conditions for preservation. On top of that, it is covered with permafrost and stones that will keep the seeds frozen even if humans are unable to continue operations. Despite several other places storing seeds, the Svalbard vault will be the final place humans will rely on in case a climate catastrophe or war destroys everything on Earth. Those who survive can fall back on this vault to restart agriculture and grow food. What is wrong with other seed vaults? "Many of these (other vaults) are vulnerable, exposed not only to natural catastrophes and war, but also to avoidable disasters, such as lack of funding or poor management," Crop Trust states on its website, adding that even "a poorly functioning freezer can ruin an entire collection." This makes the Svalbard Vault the final "global backstop". The vault started operations in 2008 and is managed by the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food. It can store a total of 2.5 billion seeds - 500 seeds from 4.5 million varieties of crops. It operates with "black–box conditions", which means that only the country that deposited the seeds can withdraw them. They are packed in three–ply foil packages, which are custom-made, sealed inside boxes and kept on shelves inside the Seed Vault. The location is ideal since it is a geologically stable region with low humidity levels and high above sea level.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault has received nearly 8,000 new donations from two countries and the Olive Genebank of the University of Córdoba. The secret bunker is meant to support humanity if a crisis hits Earth and we need to restart from scratch.

Svalbard 'Doomsday Vault' just added new seeds from two first-time countries

In the summer of 2022, unusually warm air temperatures have resulted in record melting throughout Svalbard. In the ice-covered archipelago of Norway, the plentiful meltwater, much of which went to the ocean, is the most recent manifestation of a rapidly changing climate. Svalbard is located halfway between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole. Approximately 6% of the planet's surface is covered in glaciers outside of Greenland and Antarctica, covering more than half of its geographical area.
<img alt="NASA shares rare pictures of record summer melting in Svalbard" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c2b802c4-4bd6-4010-8d61-926d8415d8d4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-07%20at%2015.40.40.png" />
Before the record melting, the environment was altered by warming. Glaciers have been receding, and the "firn", a surface layer of compressed porous snow, has been losing its ability to hold large amounts of meltwater. This summer's melting was brought on by consistent warm breezes coming from the south. Parts of the archipelago had air temperatures that were on average up to 1.8°C (3.2°F) higher than normal from May 1 through July 25, 2022. On July 17, Svalbard experienced its highest-ever recorded melt volume due to a substantial warming trend that began on July 15.

Additional elements also played a part in the record-breaking event. The archipelago's sea ice began to disappear sooner than usual, and by the end of spring 2022, open ocean water was visible. (Sea ice can occasionally last until the end of the summer.) This made it possible for warm southerly winds to blow directly over land without first cooling off by blowing over sea ice. Additionally, the winter of 2021–2022 saw little snowfall. As the weather warmed, the thin covering of new snow quickly melted, revealing vast expanses of older, darker snow, firn, and bare ice. These darker surfaces absorb more solar radiation than bright, fresh snow does, which accelerates melting during the long, sunny days of the Arctic.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-rare-pictures-from-1945-on-hiroshima-day-77-years-since-world-war-ii-atomic-bombings-504404">&nbsp;IN PICS | Rare pictures from 1945 on Hiroshima Day; 77 years since World War II atomic bombings</a>

In the past, a large portion of the meltwater would have been kept in the firn layer, where it would eventually refreeze. The procedure can help maintain glacier ice by preventing meltwater from entering the ocean. Svalbard's snowpack held onto 34% of the summer's meltwater between 1981 and 2010. Only 8% of the workforce was retained this summer.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

In the summer of 2022, unusually warm air temperatures have resulted in record melting throughout Svalbard. In the ice-covered archipelago of Norway, the plentiful meltwater, much of which went to the ocean, is the most recent manifestation of a rapidly changing climate.

In the summer of 2022, unusually warm air temperatures have resulted in record melting throughout Svalbard. In the ice-covered archipelago of Norway, the plentiful meltwater, much of which went to the ocean, is the most recent manifestation of a rapidly changing climate. Svalbard is located halfway between the Norwegian mainland and the North Pole. Approximately 6% of the planet's surface is covered in glaciers outside of Greenland and Antarctica, covering more than half of its geographical area. Before the record melting, the environment was altered by warming. Glaciers have been receding, and the "firn", a surface layer of compressed porous snow, has been losing its ability to hold large amounts of meltwater. This summer's melting was brought on by consistent warm breezes coming from the south. Parts of the archipelago had air temperatures that were on average up to 1.8°C (3.2°F) higher than normal from May 1 through July 25, 2022. On July 17, Svalbard experienced its highest-ever recorded melt volume due to a substantial warming trend that began on July 15. Additional elements also played a part in the record-breaking event. The archipelago's sea ice began to disappear sooner than usual, and by the end of spring 2022, open ocean water was visible. (Sea ice can occasionally last until the end of the summer.) This made it possible for warm southerly winds to blow directly over land without first cooling off by blowing over sea ice. Additionally, the winter of 2021–2022 saw little snowfall. As the weather warmed, the thin covering of new snow quickly melted, revealing vast expanses of older, darker snow, firn, and bare ice. These darker surfaces absorb more solar radiation than bright, fresh snow does, which accelerates melting during the long, sunny days of the Arctic. Also Read: IN PICS | Rare pictures from 1945 on Hiroshima Day; 77 years since World War II atomic bombings In the past, a large portion of the meltwater would have been kept in the firn layer, where it would eventually refreeze. The procedure can help maintain glacier ice by preventing meltwater from entering the ocean. Svalbard's snowpack held onto 34% of the summer's meltwater between 1981 and 2010. Only 8% of the workforce was retained this summer. (with inputs from agencies)

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