In this episode, we take a close look at permafrost and how it is responding to climate change. This matters because the permafrost is acting as a giant freezer for vast quantities of carbon-rich organic matter--if the freezer thaws, microbial decomposition can lead to this carbon ending up in the atmosphere, causing further warming. So, how resilient is permafrost to change?
We also discover how, as the ground thaws, it changes shape, and what this means for people's homes and infrastructure. We then learn about the importance of including local and Indigenous communities in the process of science conducted on their land.
Our brilliant guests on this episode were Professor Chris Burn and Dr Loeka Jongejans.
Your Polar Pod team is Sam Cornish, Roberta Wilkinson and Jihad Zgheib.