Swedish scientists from Umeå University, with the participation of colleagues from Austria and Denmark, evaluated the threats to people living in the Arctic due to the melting of permafrost in the region. The research was published in the scientific journal magazine Contact Earth and Environment (CEE).
Permafrost covers approximately 15% of the land area in the northern hemisphere and is rapidly degrading due to climate change. Melting ice will have far-reaching consequences for about 3 million people living in areas where perennial ice is most actively decaying, experts said.
Researchers identified five main threats related to infrastructure, mobility and supply, water quality, food security and health.
Scientists have identified infrastructure problems and disruptions in mobility and material supplies as the main threats to the local population. Industrial accidents occurring in oil and gas production facilities ranked second.
Additionally, in regions where traditional land use and farming practices are an important part of the cultural identity of local people, the negative impact of thawing permafrost on food security is also a serious concern.
Previous scientists warned About the alarming rate of permafrost deposition in the Arctic.
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Source: Gazeta

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