Journal Article - Environmental Research Letters

Incorporating Permafrost into Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Policy

    Authors:
  • Susan M. Natali
  • Robin Bronen
  • Patricia Cochran
  • Brendan M. Rogers
  • Rachael Treharne
| Sep. 07, 2022

Abstract

Permafrost thaw is drastically altering Arctic lands and creating hazardous conditions for its residents, who are being forced to make difficult and urgent decisions about where and how to live to protect themselves and their lifeways from the impacts of climate change. Permafrost thaw also poses a risk to global climate due to the large pool of organic carbon in permafrost, which, when thawed, can release greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, exacerbating an already rapidly warming climate. Permafrost thaw has significant implications for adaptation and mitigation policy worldwide. However, it remains almost entirely excluded from policy dialogues at the regional, national, and international levels. Here we discuss current gaps and recommendations for increasing the integration of permafrost science into policy, focusing on three core components: reducing scientific uncertainty; targeting scientific outputs to address climate policy needs; and co-developing just and equitable climate adaptation plans to respond to the hazards of permafrost thaw.

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The full text of this publication is available via Environmental Research Letters.
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For more information on this publication: Belfer Communications Office
For Academic Citation: Natali, Susan M, Robin Bronen, Patricia Cochran, John P. Holdren, Brendan M. Rogers and Rachael Treharne. “Incorporating Permafrost into Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Policy.” Environmental Research Letters, (September 7, 2022) .

The Authors

Susan M. Natali

Robin Bronen

Patricia Cochran

John P. Holdren

John P. Holdren

  • Teresa and John Heinz Research Professor of Environmental Policy, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Co-Director, Science, Technology and Public Policy Program
  • Member of the Board, Belfer Center
  • President Obama's Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (January 2009 – January 2017)
Expertise:

Brendan M. Rogers

Rachael Treharne

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