Permafrost soil thaws in this photo shot in northeastern Siberia in July 2005, with uppermost thawed soil contrasting with the still-frozen unthawed soil beneath. Scientists have estimated that nearly 400,000 square miles of permafrost soil in this region contain nearly 100 times more carbon than is released by the burning of fossil fuels each year. That means it could become a potent and unstoppable contributor to global warming if it continues to thaw.

(Photo by Edward “Ted” Schuur/University of Florida.)
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