A study explores the implications of rapid changes in Arctic permafrost--which contains twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere--for meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to less than 2 °C above preindustrial levels; carbon emissions from permafrost thaw are not fully accounted for in the carbon budget that informs the Paris Agreement, and permafrost thaw is expected to increase in response to warming, according to the authors.
Article #21-00163: "Permafrost carbon feedbacks threaten global climate goals," by Susan M. Natali et al.
MEDIA CONTACT: Susan M. Natali, Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA; email: snatali@woodwellclimate.org
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences