Menu2023 is defined by a string of depressing climate records. Wildfires in Malibu, a strong El Niño that may last through the winter, and many more showcase the perilous state of the climate. Amongst these record highs, it’s not surprising that one of the world’s most unstable environmental resources is literally melting: permafrost. Permafrost is the permanently frozen soil found at extreme northern latitudes. It covers 24% of the northern hemisphere’s landmass and contains nearly half of all organic carbon in the Earth’s soil. Its degradation represents a ticking time bomb, with scientists warning a mass melting of permafrost is one of the deadliest but least discussed problems facing humanity.
Read the full article here.