Arctic Report Reveals Region Is Now a Carbon Source, Marking a Critical Climate Shift

Thawing permafrost and wildfires have turned the Arctic tundra into a net emitter of greenhouse gases, with profound global implications.

The 2024 Arctic Report Card shows the region has shifted from a carbon sink to a carbon source for the first time in recorded history, driven by thawing permafrost and wildfires.
Wildfires in the Arctic have released an average of 207 million metric tons of carbon annually since 2003, equivalent to emissions from 200 coal power plants.
Record-high permafrost temperatures and increased precipitation are accelerating the release of carbon dioxide and methane, further amplifying global warming.
The report highlights cascading effects, including shorter snow seasons, declining sea ice, and 'shrubification,' which disrupts ecosystems and Indigenous communities reliant on caribou herds.
The findings raise urgency for climate action as the United States faces potential policy shifts under the incoming Trump administration, which has proposed significant cuts to NOAA's climate research.