A new study reveals that Arctic tundra is now emitting more carbon than it captures, raising concerns about climate change.
City: Arctic. A recent study has thrown a curveball at our understanding of the tundra. It turns out that some areas are now releasing more carbon dioxide than they can soak up. This is a big deal!
The research, published in Nature Climate Change, highlights a shift in how these regions are behaving. Thawing permafrost is a major player in this change. You know, that frozen ground that’s been around for ages? Well, it’s starting to melt, and that’s not good news.
As the permafrost thaws, old plant matter starts to break down, releasing CO2 and methane into the air. This creates a feedback loop that just keeps adding to global warming. It’s like a snowball effect, but in a really bad way.
Interestingly, while the Arctic and boreal forests were able to hold more carbon from 2001 to 2020, about a third of the area has flipped to being a net carbon source. That’s a significant change!
When wildfires are factored in, the whole Arctic-boreal zone isn’t absorbing enough carbon anymore. About 20% of the regions that are now releasing more carbon than they absorb are in Canada. That’s a lot!
Sue Natali, one of the study’s authors, pointed out that this research is unique because it combines satellite and field data from a global team. It’s a big picture look at a serious issue.
Natali emphasized that we can’t just brush this off. The changes happening in the Arctic have global consequences. It’s not just about the folks living there; it affects everyone.
Climate change is already ramping up global temperatures, and it’s happening even faster in the Arctic. Melting sea ice is part of the problem, as it exposes darker ocean water that absorbs more heat, leading to even more ice melting.
There’s a real concern that if we keep going the way we are, thawing permafrost could release emissions comparable to some of the biggest polluters by the end of the century. That’s a scary thought!
Natali warns that these emissions often get overlooked. If countries don’t account for them, they might underestimate how quickly they need to cut back on their emissions from fossil fuels to meet climate goals.
Ignoring permafrost emissions could mean we’re not on track to keep global warming below two degrees Celsius. That’s a serious issue we need to address!
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on January 21, 2025.
Jordan Omstead, The Canadian Press
