Global warming is causing numerous negative consequences for ecosystems, particularly affecting icy regions in the Northern Hemisphere. While melting ice caps destroy natural habitats for biodiversity in these areas, the thawing of permafrost poses a threat to living beings worldwide by releasing ancient microorganisms and gases that could have global repercussions.
Permafrost is a layer of soil that has remained frozen for more than two years, often for thousands of years. This layer contains numerous microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, locked away and inactive. However, due to climate change and the thawing of permafrost, these microorganisms are being released and reactivated, potentially posing a significant risk to human health and other living beings.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlighted a case from 2016 when a bacterium causing anthrax—a highly dangerous disease—was released. That year, over 2,500 reindeer perished on the Yamal Peninsula in Siberia, and the infection spread to humans through the affected animals, resulting in one death and numerous illnesses.
Scientists warn that the Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, which could lead to more frequent releases of deadly microbes. Data from a study reported by UNEP shows that approximately four trillion microbes are released each year due to permafrost thawing. To better grasp the magnitude of this number, it can be explained as the number four followed by 21 zeros, or 4,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.
More:
- Global Warming – Tundras Threatening to Release Stored CO2?
- Harmful Effects of Climate Change on Winter Sports and Tourism
- Melting of the cryosphere cryosphere – changes and consequences
Adding to the concern, maritime traffic, mining, and other industries are increasingly expanding in these regions, bringing humans closer to potential dangers and making the spread of diseases easier.
Permafrost is also a massive storage of approximately 1,500 gigatons of carbon dioxide—almost twice the amount currently present in the atmosphere. Its thawing releases carbon dioxide and methane emissions, further intensifying the greenhouse effect.
This highlights the urgent global need to address greenhouse gas emissions to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences for both the climate and human health.
Additionally, scientists now predict that the so-called first “ice-free day” in the Arctic could occur as early as 2027, earlier than the previously anticipated 2030. An ice-free day is when the sea ice extent drops below one million square kilometers. This alarming forecast signals significant and irreversible climate changes. Such changes threaten Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, already at risk. Furthermore, ice plays a crucial role in reflecting sunlight; with its reduction, the ocean absorbs more heat.
Reports indicate that in September 2024, the minimum sea ice extent for the year was recorded at 4.28 million square kilometers, marking a substantial decrease compared to previous decades.
