In the UK we have simply substituted on form of energy for another.
We import biomass instead of coal?
More of us have central heating, drive cars, go on foreign holidays.
Our carbon footprint is increasing. As is that of many other parts of the world.
Also our use of plastics is hardly carbon neutral, besides being a long lived pollutant.

"But what caused the permafrost to melt in the first place?"
Climate change.