Arctic Biome

Arctic Tundra as a Carbon Source: The Arctic Boreal Zone (ABZ), including the Arctic tundra, is shifting from a carbon sink to a carbon source due to increased wildfires and permafrost thaw.

NOAA’s 2024 Arctic Report Card: Confirms that frequent fires and fossil fuel pollution are turning the Arctic tundra into a carbon source.

Nature Climate Change Study (2025): Found that over 30% of the ABZ has stopped sequestering carbon and is now releasing it.

Permafrost Thaw: Rising temperatures cause permafrost to thaw, releasing carbon dioxide and methane, accelerating global warming.

Wildfire Feedback Loop: Wildfires release carbon, increasing global warming, which thaws more permafrost, leading to more fires and emissions.

Key Areas of Carbon Emission: Alaska accounts for 44% of new ABZ emissions, with northern Europe and Siberia contributing 25% and 13% respectively.

Loss of Carbon Absorption: Carbon emissions from the longer, non-summer months in the ABZ have surpassed carbon dioxide absorption during the summer.

Extreme Weather Events: Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity, releasing large quantities of carbon into the atmosphere.

India’s Involvement: India studies climate impacts in the Arctic via its Himadri research station and participates in the Arctic Council, focusing on sustainable development.

Global Wildfires: Fires in Texas, Oklahoma, California, and Japan released substantial carbon, highlighting the global scale of carbon emissions from wildfires,