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Arctic Permafrost Is Leaking Heat-Trapping Gases Into The Atmosphere

As permafrost melts, stored carbon can be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane, potentially adding to human-caused warming.

,   and  TIPP Staff
2 min read
Heat-trapping gas once frozen in Arctic ground is slowly leaking and warming the planet. Pic via(@ocregister)

The Arctic is increasingly releasing more heat-trapping gases than it absorbs as permafrost thaws and long-frozen organic matter decomposes, scientists warn.

The region is warming at roughly four times the global average, accelerating the loss of ground that has remained frozen for thousands of years.

As permafrost melts, stored carbon can be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane, potentially adding to human-caused warming.

A September study co-authored by Arctic ecologist Sue Natali projected that permafrost thaw could increase warming by about 20% this century.

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Researchers are also documenting physical changes across the Arctic. A Woodwell Climate Research Center team identified more than 40,000 landscape slumps using satellite data, while University of Alaska Fairbanks geophysicist Vladimir Romanovsky has warned that collapsing permafrost can damage homes, roads and pipelines.

Scientists say current climate projections may underestimate future warming because they do not fully account for emissions from thawing permafrost.

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