Permafrost Thaw Could Damage 30-50% of Arctic Infrastructure by 2050

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, January 11

Rising global temperatures and intensifying heat waves have accelerated the thaw of permafrost across the Northern Hemisphere. When layers of permafrost thaw, the surrounding soil shifts and collapses, jeopardizing the infrastructure at the surface. This review summarizes findings from more than 160 papers, and concludes that the costs of repairing and maintaining the roads, buildings, pipelines, and airports damaged by permafrost degradation could reach tens of billions of euros by 2050. Damage will be more extreme at higher emissions scenarios and resulting greater thaw, with nearly 70% of the infrastructure built on permafrost at risk within the next several decades. Stable and safe infrastructure is critical for not only Arctic communities, but the millions in Russia, Canada, the U.S. and elsewhere impacted by related accidents and environmental degradation.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-021-00247-8