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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