Arctic tundra emitting more carbon than it absorbs

Context: Arctic Tundra is frozen treeless biome which has
stored carbon for thousands of years, has now become a source of heat-trapping
greenhouse gases (GHGs) which are primary drivers of global warming, according
to a new report by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). Increased wildfires and unusually high temperatures are the main
reasons behind the dramatic transformation of this Arctic ecosystem. Arctic tundra
is emitting more carbon than it holds which will have global consequences, it
will exacerbate climate change, and the adverse impacts are unfolding across
all parts of the globe.

Key points

·      
Overview: A recent report titled the 2024 Arctic Report Card by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reveals that the
Arctic, once a major carbon sink, is now becoming a carbon source due to
ongoing climate-induced warming.

·      
Arctic: The Arctic is the northernmost polar region of Earth.
It includes the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (US), Canada,
Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden. The Arctic is
characterized by its cold climate, with temperatures often dropping below
freezing.

Geopolitical Importance - The Arctic is rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas,
and minerals, attracting significant international interest and competition for
control over these resources.

India's Interest in Arctic Region - India engaged with the Arctic by signing the Svalbard
Treaty in 1920. India began its Arctic research program in 2007 and launched
its first scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean and established the Himadri
research base in the Svalbard archipelago, Norway in 2008.

·      
Features of
tundra: Extremely cold climate, low
biotic diversity, simple vegetation structure, limitation of drainage, short
season of growth & reproduction, energy and nutrients in the form of dead
organic matter, large population oscillations.

2024 Arctic Report
Card

·      
About: A recent report titled the 2024 Arctic Report Card by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reveals that the
Arctic, once a major carbon sink, is now becoming a carbon source due to
ongoing climate-induced warming.

·      
Accelerated
Arctic Warming: The Arctic
is warming at an unprecedented rate, with 2024 marking the second-warmest year
since records began in 1900. The Arctic’s summer of 2024 was the third warmest
on record, with regions like Alaska and Canada experiencing extreme heat waves.

·      
Arctic
Tundra a Carbon Source: Permafrost
thaw is causing the Arctic tundra to switch from a carbon sink to a carbon
source. Decomposing permafrost releases carbon dioxide and methane,
accelerating global warming. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and
intensity, releasing more carbon and extending the wildfire season.

·      
Decline in
Sea Ice: The extent and thickness of
sea ice have reduced significantly over the past decades. The shorter sea ice
season exposes more dark ocean surfaces, which absorb more heat and further
contribute to warming. Arctic glaciers and the Greenland Ice Sheet continue to
contribute meltwater to oceans, exacerbating global sea-level rise.

·      
Implications: Changes in the Arctic contribute to global challenges
like coastal flooding, extreme weather events, and wildfires. The Arctic’s
diminishing ability to store carbon underscores the need to urgently reduce
Greenhouse Gas emissions to mitigate further risks. The reindeer or caribou are
in decline due to climate change affecting Indigenous communities reliant on
them for food and cultural practices.