Nornickel, a Russian mining and metallurgical company, now produces twice the amount of sulfur dioxide pollution than the United States from its industrial plants in the Arctic. Accidental spills are not included in this figure, but they cause significant damage on top of it. As demand for metals rises, pressure is being put on Nornickel to develop more environmentally sustainable manufacturing and extraction practices. Unless companies move to modernize their Arctic industrial operations, global warming will cause many more accidental disasters.
