Smoke Signals
An article in Audubon examines the climate implications of thawing Arctic permafrost. Scientists estimate that northern permafrost soils contain roughly 1,400 gigatons of carbon—nearly twice the amount currently in the atmosphere. As warming accelerates, both carbon dioxide and methane are being released, including from previously overlooked submarine permafrost. Researchers are still determining whether current emissions represent a steady leak or the early stages of a larger feedback loop with global consequences.
Source: Audubon Magazine (2010) Read More