Frost’s Defeat – The Poetry of Science

Ice melts, earth shifts
quietly unravelling
the fabric of frost.
Roads once steadfast,
now falter;
ice mirrors cloud
as silent scourges stir
and wait.
Through cracks
in stone’s skin,
ice exhales its
tainted breath;
communities tread
the whispers of change –
a silent remoulding
beneath cracked
and slanted steps.

This poem is inspired by recent research, which has investigated the key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw.

In the Arctic, the thawing of permafrost presents challenges that impact both the environment and local communities. This phenomenon leads to severe consequences, such as infrastructure damage and altered natural habitats, which disrupt local economies and traditions. Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective policies and adaptive strategies.

Scientists have now explored the implications of permafrost thaw across regions in Norway, Greenland, Canada, and Russia. Drawing on the insights of local stakeholders and scientists, this research outlined how permafrost thaw introduces significant risks through its dynamic interactions between natural processes and societal impacts. The investigation highlighted five primary hazards: the crumbling of critical infrastructure, interruption of essential mobility and supply chains, decline in water quality, threats to food security, and increased exposure to diseases and contaminants. This research provides vital insights for future decisions and responses to the challenges posed by permafrost thaw in these vulnerable Arctic areas.