Permafrost

Permafrost: A study identified 20 regions in the Arctic most vulnerable to climate change, with permafrost being a common factor in all hotspots.

• About: Permafrost refers to soil or rock that has remained at or below 0°C for at least two consecutive years.

o Climate change causes permafrost to thaw, which could release carbon emissions that have been locked in ice for thousands of years.

• Regions Affected: 16 hotspots are in Eurasia, and the remaining are in North America.

oThese regions are vulnerable due to the thawing of permafrost, which is highly susceptible to temperature rise.

• Key Findings: Eastern Siberian tundra and central Siberia saw substantial land warming between 1997-2020.

o The Eurasian tundra was more impacted than boreal forests:

o 99% of Eurasian tundra experienced significant warming.

o 72% of Eurasian boreal forests experienced warming.

• Warming Causes: Loss of sea ice in the Arctic Ocean, exposing dark sea that absorbs sunlight, contributing to further warming.