Huge permafrost thaw can be limited by ambitious climate targets
Monday, April 10, 2017 - 12:32
in Earth & Climate
Nearly 4 million square kilometers of frozen soil -- an area larger than India -- could be lost for every additional degree of global warming experienced, warn scientists. Global warming will thaw about 20% more permafrost than previously thought, they add – potentially releasing significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the Earth’s atmosphere. But these investigators also suggest that the huge permafrost losses could be averted if ambitious global climate targets are met.