Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing our planet. Global warming, which is caused by heat building up in various parts of the Earth system, is perhaps the most widely known effect of climate change.
A recent study by an international research team has shed light on the distribution of thermal energy stored on land. The study shows that since the 1960s, more than 20 times as much heat has been stored in land masses, with the majority of this increase being in the continental ground.
In fact, the increase in thermal energy stored in the ground is so significant that it accounts for half of the total heat uptake by land. Permafrost soils and inland water bodies have also seen a substantial increase in thermal energy storage over the last few decades.
According to the research team’s calculations, more than 90 percent of the energy stored by land has gone into the top three meters of soil, with an additional 5 percent stored between three and six meters deep. The remaining 5 percent has gone into deeper ground layers.
This increase in thermal energy storage has several effects on the environment, including changes in permafrost extent and stability, an increase in ground surface temperatures, and potential impacts on water resources.
These changes can have far-reaching effects, including impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and human health.
The study’s findings underscore the need for continued research into the effects of climate change on Earth’s systems. By understanding how thermal energy is stored and distributed in land masses, we can better predict and prepare for changes in the future.
This research is crucial in helping us mitigate the negative impacts of climate change and work towards a more sustainable future.
Edited by Zeng Han-Jun
Written by Juliana Rodriguez
Terra Link Research 