The Arctic tundra is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a carbon sink to a net emitter of carbon dioxide due to increasing wildfires and warming temperatures, according to a report released by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The findings, presented in NOAA’s 2024 Arctic Report Card, indicate that the region’s surface air temperatures this year were the second-warmest on record since 1900.
“Our data now show that the Arctic tundra, affected by rising temperatures and more frequent wildfires, is emitting more carbon than it captures, intensifying climate change impacts,” said Rick Spinrad, a NOAA administrator.
The Arctic has been warming at up to four times the global average for 11 consecutive years, the report reveals. This warming has both positive and negative effects: while it boosts plant growth that absorbs carbon dioxide, it also accelerates permafrost thawing. As permafrost melts, trapped carbon is decomposed by microbes and released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and methane, both potent greenhouse gases.
Human-driven climate change is exacerbating this crisis by intensifying wildfires in the region. These fires release significant amounts of carbon by burning vegetation and organic matter in the soil. They also strip away protective soil layers, further speeding up permafrost thaw and its associated emissions.
Brendan Rogers, a scientist at the Woodwell Climate Research Center and contributor to the report, stated, “We’re now beginning to measure the cumulative impact of increasing wildfire activity, and the results are significant for both local communities and the global climate.”
Since 2003, Arctic wildfires have emitted an average of 207 million tons of carbon annually, according to NOAA data. At the same time, the region’s ecosystems remain a persistent source of methane emissions.
The report emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive research to better understand the Arctic’s changing carbon dynamics. Dr. Sue Natali of the Woodwell Climate Research Center noted, “Accurate and holistic knowledge of these processes is essential for addressing the climate crisis effectively.”
Scientists warn that the Arctic’s transformation has far-reaching consequences. “The shift to a net carbon source is an alarming signal with global implications,” said Brenda Ekwurzel of the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Many thresholds of ecosystem damage, once crossed, are irreversible.”
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE