In some areas infrastructure such as pipelines, railways and buildings are supported on permafrost.  However, if the local temperature increases as a result of climate change, there is a danger that this permafrost will thaw, at least during part of the year.  Thawing of permafrost could undermine the foundations of construction on the previously frozen ground.

For more information about the source of the headline on permafrost, see: Lawrence, D. M., and A. G. Slater (2005), A projection of severe near-surface permafrost degradation during the 21st century, Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L24401, doi:10.1029/2005GL025080.