Urbanization turns Bishkek into a 'hot spot,' says climatologist

Bishkek is rapidly warming, becoming a climate change "hot spot" due to extensive urbanization, according to climatologist Zoya Kretova. She explained in a podcast that the city's environment is changing as asphalt, concrete, and buildings replace natural surfaces. This human-induced alteration of the local landscape significantly impacts the climate.

Kretova noted that Bishkek, along with Osh and Jalal-Abad, experiences the most intense warming in Kyrgyzstan. She highlighted that paving and concreting urban areas alter the local microclimate, similar to how large bodies of water can affect it. The city also faces an increasing dry period, lasting about four months from June to September, where evaporation exceeds moisture.

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The most intense warming rate in large cities of Kyrgyzstan is in Bishkek, Osh, Jalal-Abad.

Without irrigation, vegetation in Bishkek begins to wither by early summer and only recovers in autumn when temperatures drop and rainfall returns. Kretova stressed that this dry spell is becoming longer and more severe. In response to rising temperatures, greening the city has become crucial.

Preserving and planting trees offers one of the most accessible ways to lessen local climate changes. Kretova stated that areas with trees are always cooler, and regions with abundant trees maintain a stable microclimate. She emphasized the importance of not just individual trees but also comprehensive green systems, including shrubs, protective belts, and the restoration of natural ecosystems, which help retain moisture and moderate temperature fluctuations.

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Where a tree grows, it is always cool. Where many trees grow, the climate, the microclimate is always stable.