A new study published in Nature Climate Change reveals that regions of the Arctic tundra are now releasing more planet-warming gases than they absorb, marking a significant shift in carbon dynamics. The study suggests thawing permafrost, frozen ground covering vast areas of Canada and other Arctic regions, is a key driver of this change. As permafrost thaws, long-dead plant matter decomposes, releasing carbon dioxide and methane back into the atmosphere. This positive feedback loop further accelerates global warming.
A new study suggests regions of the Arctic tundra are now releasing more planet-warming gases than they absorb, upending a millennia-old trend.
As permafrost thaws, long-dead plant matter begins to decompose and release planet-warming CO2 and methane back into the atmosphere, setting off a positive feedback loop that can further contribute to global warming. Of the regions releasing more carbon than they absorb, the study suggests about 20 per cent are in Canada.
While scientists have expected human-caused climate change to thaw permafrost and release CO2, Natali says it's surprising to already see signatures of that change. Human-caused climate change has already increased global temperatures, but that warming is happening several times faster in the Arctic, in part due to another feedback loop: melting sea ice. As sea ice melts, the exposed darker ocean water can absorb more heat, which causes more ice to melt and warms the planet.
PERMAFROST ARCTIC CLIMATE CHANGE CARBON EMISSIONS GLOBAL WARMING
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