Sunday, December 16, 2018

The Impact of Climate Change on the Alaskan Permafrost

The process by which the earth transfers heat has led to an acceleration of warming in the northern climes caused by the unabated increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This effect has been particularly felt in Alaska. As a result, the heretofore permanent nature of the Alaskan permafrost is changing. This is particularly troublesome in that locked within this permafrost is organic material that is ,by its nature, rich in carbon and greenhouse gases. This process by which melting permafrost leads to increased release of greenhouse gases that subsequently leads to increased melting of permafrost represents a disturbing feedback loop mechanism with inherently dangerous consequences.


A Report from the New York Times helps elucidate the real gravity of this change.

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