Permafrost is defined as soil that has remained at or below 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) for two years or more. There does not need to be ice or snow present to identify permafrost. Most permafrost is located near the North and South Poles and dates back millions of years. The area of the Earth covered by permafrost is constantly shrinking and global warming is credited with the loss of large amounts of ancient permafrost.

In the Yukon, for example, the edge of the permafrost has receded approximately 100 Km (62 Miles) since 1899. The majority of that loss is believed to have taken place in the last thirty (30) years. The loss of permafrost may not seem significant, but there are serious side-affects.

Permafrost contains high levels of methane gas and other hydrocarbons which become greenhouse gases when released into the atmosphere. Although the storage and release of these gases is a natural process, the rapid release of gases due to human changes in the environment is more than nature can process.

Scientists estimate that the loss of an additional 10% of the remaining permafrost would release enough greenhouse gases to push the Earth past the tipping point and basically put us at the point of no return. Once that point is reached, there is presumed to be no way to stop the total loss of all permafrost on the planet.

Permafrost is also one of the factors that help to control the temperature of the planet. These two factors are feared to be out of control. Under normal circumstances methane gas and various hydrocarbons are stored below frozen soil. Some of this gas is released slowly, for example below the surface of a body of water. Researchers are developing methods to capture this gas and use it as an energy source.

When the permafrost thaws, as in global warming, large amounts of these stored gases are released and nature’s means of cleaning the air (trees) are unable to keep up. These excess gases then become greenhouse gases and add to the problem of global warming. This cyclical effect is what scientist fear.

Once the rapid thawing of permafrost and the release of huge gas stores passes the tipping point, there may be no return. If that happens, scientists fear catastrophic warming will take over the planet and many life forms, including humans, may be unable to live on the Earth.