It is predicted that the melting of permafrost will result in a rise in ocean levels, a significant increase in temperature and an acceleration of global warming. Permafrost covers 24% of land in the Northern Hemisphere (Insert quote), if it were to melt 1,700 gigatons of methane and carbon dioxide (Insert quote), powerful heat-trapping gases, would be released into the atmosphere, thus increasing the amount of greenhouse gases. of 200%. Permafrost is permanently frozen ground that has not melted for 2 years or more, it also makes up 24% of the land in the northern hemisphere and it stores huge amounts of carbon inside (Insert Citation) . Permafrost contains large amounts of frozen organic matter and if this organic matter thaws and begins to decompose, it will release carbon into the air. Due to global warming and climate change, permafrost is likely to melt, releasing the carbon trapped inside. It has been estimated that permafrost has 1,700 gigatons of carbon inside (Insert Citation), which is twice the amount of carbon. already present in the atmosphere and there is no way to stop the melting of permafrost other than to slow it down by reducing our emissions. Figure 1 shows the northern hemisphere and the area of ​​land containing permafrost. It can be seen that there is a significant amount of permafrost in the northern hemisphere and if this were to melt there would be a dramatic increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Figure 1: Map of the hemisphere north showing permafrostObtained from: (What is permafrost? 2013)Permafrost contains a large amount of carbon, when it melts it releases the carbon in the form of carbon dioxide and methane, a powerful green ...... middle of paper ......ermafrost-the inexpressible -water-sculpting-from-below/Agency, EP (nd). Melting of permafrost. Retrieved from epa: http://www.epa.gov/climatestudents/impacts/signs/permafrost.htmlInc., WU (nd). Permafrost. Retrieved from wunderground: http://www.wunderground.com/climate/permafrost.asp?MR=1Nave, R. (nd). The expansion of water during freezing. Retrieved from Hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/waterdens.htmlTakver. (2012, 11 30). Climate change: methane and CO2 responsible for thawing Arctic permafrost, a climatic tipping point. Retrieved from Indybay: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/11/30/18726866.phpWhat is permafrost? (2013, 7 6). Retrieved from Defrosting the Freezer: http://www.defrostingthefreezer.co.uk/what-is-permafrostKevin S. (2012, 28 11). Fight against climate change. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=too4nQqomJk