82 - Arctic Tundra

From carbon sink to carbon source

Author

The Climate Mentor
January 14th, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Ici alarm bells ❄️

What if one of Earth’s natural defenses against climate change started working against us?

The Arctic tundra, long hailed as a critical carbon sink, is undergoing a dramatic transformation.

Once a frozen vault storing vast amounts of greenhouse gases, it is now emitting more carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) than it absorbs.

This subtle yet alarming shift has profound implications for the planet.

Why is this happening?

Map showing the Arctic region with color-coded carbon flux data (2002–2020 average). Green areas represent carbon sinks, while purple areas indicate carbon sources. Highlights include large carbon releases from wildfires in Alaska, Canada, and Russia, emphasizing the impact of warming and wildfires on the tundra's carbon dynamics.

Arctic Tundra Carbon Flux: Transition from Sink to Source

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