The effect of thawing permafrost is predicted to be rising ocean levels, a significant increase in temperature, and an acceleration of the rate at which warming occurs global. Permafrost covers 24% of the land in the Northern Hemisphere (insert quote), if this were to melt 1700 gigatons of methane and carbon dioxide (insert quote), powerful heat-trapping gases, would be released into the atmosphere increasing the amount of gas greenhouse by 200%. Permafrost is permanently frozen ground that has not thawed for 2 years or more, it also makes up 24% of the land in the Northern Hemisphere and stores huge amounts of carbon within it (insert quote). Permafrost contains large amounts of frozen organic matter and if this organic matter thaws and begins to decay it will release carbon into the air. Due to global warming and climate change, permafrost is at risk of melting, releasing the carbon trapped within it. It has been estimated that permafrost contains 1700 gigatons of carbon within it (insert quote), which is double the amount of carbon already in the atmosphere and there is no way to stop the melting of permafrost except by slowing it down by reducing our emissions. Figure 1 shows the Northern Hemisphere and how much of the land contains 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 Northern Hemisphere showing permafrost Obtained 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, powerful green.. .... middle of paper ......ermafrost-the-unsaid -water-sculpture-from-below/Agency, EP (nd). Melting 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. (n.d.). The expansion of water upon freezing. Retrieved from hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/waterdens.htmlTakver. (2012, 11:30). Climate change: Methane and CO2 in thawing Arctic permafrost represent a climate turning 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