gg2
Climate professor warns of permafrost tipping point
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Prof Gustaf Hugelius warns wildfires could accelerate methane and carbon release as permafrost nears irreversible thresholds.
The thaw threatens to unleash vast stored carbon, amplifying climate change globally.
Background
Permafrost, a permanently frozen layer covering 18 million square kilometres in the northern hemisphere, stores up to 1.5 trillion metric tons of carbon. As the climate warms, this frozen ground thaws, releasing greenhouse gases. Wildfires can accelerate this process, potentially pushing regions past tipping points where changes become irreversible.
How it unfolded
- Aug 14, 2026Swiss scientist Erich Fischer warns about the loss of glacier meltwater, highlighting climate tipping points.
- Aug 17, 2026Scientists warn that 'collapse of civilisation is the most likely outcome' due to climate tipping points, including permafrost thaw.
- Aug 20, 2026Prof Gustaf Hugelius warns that wildfires could accelerate methane and carbon release as vast permafrost regions approach irreversible thresholds.
Who’s saying what
- Expert
- Prof Gustaf Hugelius warns that wildfires could accelerate the release of methane and carbon from thawing permafrost.
- Expert
- Prof Steffan poses the question: 'Have we already lost control of the system? Is collapse now inevitable?'