File:Point Lay, Alaska, faces the consequences of climate change.jpg

English: This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 6 June 2023, shows the coastal town of Point Lay in Alaska, USA. The permafrost on the Arctic coast of Alaska is thawing so fast that it is destroying buildings and infrastructure in Point Lay. The soil here is largely made up of a mixture of organic material, sediment, and water in the form of ice. It's not like the solid, rocky ground that one might be familiar with in warmer climates. This frozen water acts as a sort of glue, keeping the soil stable and firm. When the ice within the permafrost melts due to rising temperatures, the soil loses this 'glue', transforming from a solid state to a more liquid state. As this happens, the thawing permafrost becomes less able to support structures built upon it. The buildings and infrastructure in Point Lay are built on this permafrost. As it thaws, the once solid ground starts to sink and shift, a process known as 'subsidence'. This leads to a steady lowering of the ground surface, causing damage to buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. Due to the severe permafrost degradation, the community is contemplating relocation to grant the survival of the village and have already declared a climate emergency to raise awareness. Data from the Copernicus satellites allow for an accurate and frequent monitoring of the consequences of climate change in the Arctic regions.