Home / Environment / Arctic Permafrost: A Hidden Threat to Global Economy
Arctic Permafrost: A Hidden Threat to Global Economy
14 Aug
Summary
- Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, potentially costing $43 trillion.
- Frozen Arctic soil holds an estimated 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon.
- Urgent emission cuts could significantly reduce permafrost thaw's economic impact.
Beneath Alaska's seemingly ordinary tundra lies permafrost, ground containing immense amounts of ancient organic material. As global temperatures rise, this permafrost thaws, causing decomposition and releasing carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere. A 2015 analysis estimated these emissions could incur an additional $43 trillion in global economic damage by 2200.
This thawing permafrost acts as a significant carbon store, estimated to hold around 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon. When microorganisms decompose this frozen organic matter, it amplifies climate change through a feedback mechanism: warming causes thaw, thaw releases greenhouse gases, and these gases contribute to further warming.
The $43 trillion figure represents the amplified economic effects of climate change due to permafrost-related emissions, increasing the total estimated damage by about 13%. While this estimate carries uncertainty, ranging from $3 trillion to $166 trillion, it underscores the unexpected importance of the Arctic in the global economic equation.
These consequences extend globally, impacting agriculture, cooling costs, human health, and ecosystems. Researchers emphasize the need for urgent action to slow permafrost melt and curb greenhouse gas release. An aggressive emissions-reduction strategy could potentially reduce the economic impact by as much as $37 trillion.
