Carbon leak
Carbon is stored in dead vegetation, which is preserved in the frozen soil. As it thaws, the vegetation rots, releasing carbon dioxide and methane.
'Permafrost has locked away carbon and other greenhouse gases like methane for thousands of years. But it looks like the permafrost in some areas is starting to give back its carbon. This could accelerate the greenhouse effect.'
Svein Tveitdal, United Nations Environment Programme / GRID-Arendal, Norway
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