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layer. Permafrost is estimated to underlie 20 % of the world ' s surface with it making up 55 % of Russia and Canada, 85 % of Alaska and probably all of Antarctica. And it’ s melting. Fast.
In 200 years scientists estimate that ½ to ⅔ of the world ' s permafrost would have melted due to climate change and global warming. And not only does this cause a problem for those living on it, as the ground starts to sink and become softer, often damaging houses and making them unfit to live in( See below). But
the main problem is what melting permafrost releases.
Caption: Building in Yakutsk that collapsed due to melting permafrost.
Permafrost contains dead organic matter that has been trapped in it’ s mass for up to more that 10,000 years. And what’ s trapped in this organic material? Methane and carbon dioxide. And what are they? Greenhouse gases. As the permafrost melts more and more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere that was previously stored. In fact, scientists believe that the amount of released by melting permafrost will be equal to half the carbon dioxide released since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Measured, this is expected to range from 190 gigatonnes plus being released to below 64. And as more and more greenhouse gases enters the atmosphere, the endless cycle is going to start: permafrost melts, greenhouse gases are