Too Warm for Russia

Russia is currently in the throes of a deadly heat wave, complete with soaring temperatures, forest fires, widespread drought, and the spontaneous combustion of peat bogs on the outskirts of Moscow. While the received wisdom is that Russia will offer a "bear hug" to a warmer world, the reality may be more complicated. Many observers argue that Russia will benefit from increased agricultural productivity driven by warmer temperatures. However, officials estimate that grain production will decline by up to 25 percent as a result of the current heat wave. In the end, Russia may not be as implacably opposed to geoengineering as many commentators assume.