Researchers across Norway, Canada, Russia and Greenland report that Arctic permafrost is thawing and endangering communities and infrastructure. Published in Communications Earth and Environment, the study highlights hazards including ground collapse, disrupted supply routes, release of ancient contaminants, and threats to food security and cultural practices. Using a combined environmental and social risk-analysis framework, the authors identify ways to mitigate and adapt to permafrost loss. They call for improved urban planning, stronger infrastructure and sustainable resource management.
Arctic Permafrost Thaw Threatens Communities and Infrastructure — New Study Calls for Urgent Action
Researchers across Norway, Canada, Russia and Greenland report that Arctic permafrost is thawing and endangering communities and infrastructure. Published in Communications Earth and Environment, the study highlights hazards including ground collapse, disrupted supply routes, release of ancient contaminants, and threats to food security and cultural practices. Using a combined environmental and social risk-analysis framework, the authors identify ways to mitigate and adapt to permafrost loss. They call for improved urban planning, stronger infrastructure and sustainable resource management.
18:05, 05.11.2025Environment
Arctic permafrost thaw poses growing risks to people and infrastructure
Permafrost — the permanently frozen soil that underlies large parts of the Arctic — acts as both a natural archive and the physical foundation for many communities. As global temperatures rise, that frozen ground is thawing, creating immediate hazards for ecosystems, infrastructure and human health.
Findings from a comparative Arctic study
A new interdisciplinary study, reported via EurekAlert and published in Communications Earth and Environment, examined permafrost conditions across four Arctic regions: Norway, Canada, Russia and Greenland. Researchers applied a risk-analysis framework that combined environmental and social perspectives to assess present and emerging threats.
Key hazards identified
- Ground instability and infrastructure damage: Thawing permafrost undermines buildings, roads and airstrips, increasing the risk of collapse and costly repairs.
- Disrupted supply and transport routes: Changing ground conditions can delay deliveries and isolate communities that rely on seasonal access.
- Release of legacy contaminants: Ancient toxins and contaminants previously locked in frozen soils may be mobilized as ice melts.
- Water quality and ecosystem impacts: Altered hydrology can degrade drinking water and harm fish, plants and wildlife, with knock-on effects on food security.
- Cultural and social consequences: Threats to traditional food sources and infrastructure can erode cultural practices, community well‑being and public health.
"Our findings show that permafrost thaw is not only an environmental issue but also a direct challenge to the safety, health, and well-being of Arctic communities," — Dr. Khaled Abass, co-author and professor of environmental health sciences, University of Sharjah.
Implications and recommendations
Beyond local impacts, loss of Arctic ice — including permafrost, glaciers and ice sheets — reduces the planet's ability to regulate temperature, contributing to more intense weather events worldwide. The study’s risk framework helped identify practical mitigation and adaptation measures. Authors recommend improved urban planning, reinforced infrastructure, and sustainable resource management tailored to local conditions to reduce harm and help communities adapt.
Researchers hope these findings will inform policymakers, planners and Indigenous and local leaders so that communities can better prepare for the hazards unfolding beneath their feet.