
Permafrost Thaw: How Melting Arctic Ice Could Release Ancient Pathogens
The Arctic region is undergoing rapid changes due to climate change, with temperatures rising at more than twice the global average. One of the most significant consequences of these rising temperatures is the thawing of permafrost—a layer of permanently frozen soil that has remained unchanged for thousands of years. As permafrost thaws, it not only releases greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane but also poses a less direct yet equally alarming risk: the potential release of ancient pathogens.