Permafrost is one of the largest terrestrial carbon stores on Earth, holding an estimated 1,460 to 1,600 billion tonnes of organic carbon. This amount is about twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere today. However, with rising global temperatures, permafrost is thawing and releasing carbon into the atmosphere at an estimated rate of 0.3 to 0.6 billion tons each year. This is roughly equivalent to 7 percent of the world’s total carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. This process, called positive carbon feedback, can shift the permafrost from a carbon store to a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.
In this science talk, Prof. Pooneh Maghoul will showcase the development of an innovative nature-based, nano-enhanced bio-cementation technique for sustainable ground improvement. This state-of-the-art approach, validated through laboratory and physical modelling proof-of-concept studies, offers a promising solution for mitigating permafrost carbon emissions while improving the resilience of northern infrastructure. By integrating these strategies with circular economy principles, she will discuss how this approach can inspire actionable frameworks to reduce environmental impacts and advance sustainability in cold and northern regions.
Join the talk
Speaker
Prof. Pooneh Maghoul
Lead, Sustainable Infrastructure in Cold Regions
