
New research from the University of Vienna has revealed fresh concerns about the dangers posed by the Arctic’s thawing permafrost, as rising global temperatures accelerate its melt.
The frozen ground is releasing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and methane, which in turn speeds up climate change. But it’s not just a global problem – the effects are hitting close to home for around three million Arctic residents. Many of these people live on permafrost soils, as highlighted by the study published in the scientific journal Communications Earth and Environment.
A team of scientists, led by Susanna Gartler from the University of Vienna, explored the societal impacts of thawing permafrost in four Arctic regions over six years, from 2017 to 2023. The project brought together experts from fields such as engineering, environmental science, social science and public health, who worked closely with local communities to better understand the challenges.
Five Major Risks
The study is the first to examine the physical and societal impacts of thawing permafrost together. It identifies five key risks: damage to infrastructure, disruptions to transport and supply routes, potential deterioration of water quality, challenges to food security and increased threats from infectious diseases and pollutants. According to the researchers, infrastructure in coastal areas, along rivers, in deltas and mountainous regions is particularly vulnerable to erosion. In areas where people rely heavily on hunting and fishing, food security could be affected as hunting and fishing huts become harder to access, soils turn into quicksand and landslides obstruct routes.
Pollutants in the Ground
Industrial activity in the Arctic has left behind a toxic legacy. Many oil and gas pits were built with the expectation that the ground would stay frozen indefinitely. As the permafrost melts, these pollutants risk leaking into the surrounding environment, with potentially severe consequences.
In Svalbard, for example, local communities are already grappling with these challenges. Thawing permafrost there is threatening not just infrastructure but also access to safe drinking water.
Planning for the Future
The researchers emphasise the need for policymakers to understand these risks and take decisive action. They argue that bold and swift adaptation measures are essential to protect Arctic residents and mitigate the wider impacts of a thawing Arctic on the planet.