Climate Change Permafrost and Release of Methane and Carbon
In Climate Change: Permafrost and Release of Methane and Carbon, discover the science behind permafrost and its crucial role in the global climate system. Permafrost, the frozen ground found primarily in the Arctic, has acted as a natural storage system for carbon and methane gases for thousands of years. These gases, which were once trapped beneath the surface, are released as the permafrost thaws due to rising global temperatures. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Climate Change — The Facts, a documentary that delves into the science of climate change and its far-reaching consequences.
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Q: How did carbon become stored under the permafrost?
A: Before the last ice age, plants absorbed carbon dioxide. Their remains got buried under frozen ground, where they stayed until the permafrost began to melt.
Q: How does climate change impact the permafrost situation?
A: As the permafrost melts, it releases the trapped carbon and methane gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
Q: What role does permafrost play in the climate system?
A: Permafrost acts as a barrier, trapping gases like methane and carbon underground. When it thaws, these greenhouse gases are released, exacerbating global warming.
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