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Home / IAS Preparation / Thawing Permafrost

Thawing Permafrost: Unveiling the Hidden Risks of a Warming Planet

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The Earth stands at the crossroads of a mounting crisis. Global temperatures are ascending, heralding the advent of heatwaves, droughts, ocean acidification, and the ominous rise of sea levels. As we navigate this changing landscape, one issue emerges as a potent harbinger of unforeseen challenges: the thawing permafrost. 

This article delves into the intricacies of thawing permafrost, investigating its causes, consequences, and potential solutions. 

This article is necessary for the UPSC IAS exam. Take your UPSC preparation to new heights by joining UPSC coaching.

Permafrost: A Frozen Tapestry of Earth's Vulnerability

Defined as ground that remains perpetually frozen at temperatures of 32°F (0°C) or colder for at least two consecutive years, permafrost is a geological marvel that punctuates Earth's higher latitudes and high mountain regions. Despite the frozen façade, permafrost regions often escape the common association with snow coverage. Encompassing nearly a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere's land area, permafrost's chilling grasp holds sway over vast territories.

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Permafrost Melting and its Far-reaching Impact
  • Accentuating Climate Change: In the Arctic realm, temperatures surge at double the pace of other global regions. This meteoric rise triggers the thawing of year-round permafrost, a phenomenon that bodes ill for the climate crisis. As permafrost succumbs to thaw, the carbon it cradled is liberated into the atmosphere, amplifying the carbon dioxide conundrum. Additionally, receding sea ice and the vanishing sheen of ice sheets intensify temperature escalation, as ice boasts a higher albedo than water.
  • Tropical Challenges Encroach: The shift of equatorial diseases towards higher latitudes is a stark consequence of thawing permafrost. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors of disease traverse these expanded ecological niches, bringing with them ailments previously confined to the equatorial belt. The West Nile virus, once confined to the United States, now inches towards the Arctic, posing a grave threat to Canada and beyond.
  • Zoonotic Diseases on the Prowl: Warming temperatures foment alterations in habitats, nudging avian species like ducks and geese towards new territories. This shift catalyzes the transmission of avian flu, evidenced by the H5N8 avian flu crossing from birds to humans in Russia. Notably, the geographical distribution of rabies may also burgeon as habitats transform.
  • Rise of Dormant Pathogens: The thawing permafrost heralds the revival of ancient microbes, releasing a Pandora's box of pathogens. The Siberian anthrax outbreak of 2016, resulting in human infections and animal fatalities, serves as a stark reminder of the perils posed by resurgent bacteria. With spores capable of enduring decades in frozen soil, the reanimation of dormant pathogens poses a profound health risk.
  • Epidemic and Pandemic Resurgence: Dormant viruses and bacteria, harboring the potential for epidemic or even pandemic propagation, are a lurking concern. Genetic material from historical disease agents, like the Spanish Flu virus and smallpox, has been resuscitated from permafrost. The reemergence of such diseases without routine vaccination measures poses an alarming scenario.
  • Viruses from the Ice: Thawing permafrost's impact transcends the Arctic's borders. Glacial ice, sheltering ancient viruses for millennia, is now surrendering its secrets. Recently, the Tibetan Plateau unveiled 15,000-year-old viruses, illuminating the global scale of this phenomenon. These discoveries underscore the interconnectedness of Earth's frozen realms.

The Way Forward: Mitigating Thawing Permafrost
  • Halting Rapid Climate Change: The crux of preserving permafrost hinges on a resolute reduction of global CO2 emissions. The target of slashing emissions by 45% over the next decade, followed by complete carbon neutrality post-2050, charts a course to safeguard permafrost's future. Global unity in combating climate change becomes imperative, rendering individual efforts futile without collective resolve.
  • Safeguarding Eroding Landscapes: Creative interventions arise to counteract eroding landscapes. Proposals such as a 100-meter-long dam in front of Greenland's Jakobshavn glacier and the creation of artificial icebergs through desalination and freezing represent innovative strategies to counter thawing permafrost's impact.
  • Fostering Ice Thickness: Ingenious approaches advocate for bolstering existing ice. By channeling subglacial ice to the upper ice caps via wind-powered pumps, researchers envision a fortified icy framework, underpinning the delicate balance of these environments.
  • Raising Public Awareness: Amidst the seeming remoteness of the tundra and permafrost, individual actions reverberate globally. Mitigating carbon footprints, advocating for eco-friendly policies, and endorsing sustainable businesses collectively contribute to preserving permafrost and averting a climatic crisis loop.

Conclusion 

The trajectory of our planet demands immediate action. Elevating climate change to the zenith of foreign policy priorities stands as a pivotal step. Swift action promises commensurate benefits, offering hope for a future where permafrost remains a sentinel of Earth's beauty rather than a harbinger of ecological turmoil. Let us seize this moment to reshape our world, for the choices we make today echo through the annals of time.

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Thawing Permafrost FAQs

Permafrost melting exacerbates climate change through the release of stored carbon. As permafrost thaws, organic matter frozen within it decomposes, releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane, potent greenhouse gases. This amplifies the greenhouse effect, contributing to global warming.

Yes, the thawing permafrost has the potential to release ancient pathogens that have been dormant for centuries. These pathogens can include viruses and bacteria that were prevalent in historical ecosystems. As permafrost thaws, these pathogens may re-emerge, posing health risks to both humans and wildlife.

While the consequences of thawing permafrost are primarily negative due to its role in exacerbating climate change and releasing pathogens, some benefits could include increased access to previously frozen resources, such as minerals and fossil fuels, and expanded land for agriculture and development in certain regions. However, these potential benefits must be weighed against the broader ecological and environmental impacts.

Individuals can play a crucial role by reducing their carbon footprint. This includes using energy-efficient products, adopting sustainable transportation methods, and supporting renewable energy sources. Additionally, raising awareness about the importance of permafrost and advocating for climate-friendly policies can have a collective impact.

Scientists are exploring various technologies to mitigate permafrost thaw. These include methods like building dams to slow glacier erosion, creating artificial icebergs through desalination and freezing, and enhancing ice thickness by redistributing subglacial ice. While these approaches are in their experimental stages, they highlight the innovative efforts to address this complex issue.
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