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Context:

In recent years, the Arctic tundra’s ability to emit less and absorb more carbon has taken a hit. A new analysis incorporating more data and better examination methods confirmed that the ecosystem has become a source of CO2 and methane CH4 emissions.

Key Findings of the Report- 2024 Arctic Report Card by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Accelerated Arctic Warming: The Arctic is warming at an unprecedented rate, with 2024 the second warmest year since records began in 1900.
- - The Arctic summer of 2024 was the third warmest on record, with regions such as Alaska and Canada experiencing extreme heat waves.
Arctic Tundra and Carbon Source: Melting permafrost is causing Arctic tundra to transition from a carbon sink to a carbon source.
- - As permafrost breaks down, carbon dioxide and methane are released, accelerating global warming.
  - Fires are increasing in frequency and intensity, releasing more carbon and extending the fire season.
Loss of sea ice: The extent and thickness of sea ice have decreased significantly in recent decades. Shorter periods of sea ice expose 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 the oceans, exacerbating global sea level rise.
Implications: Changes in the Arctic are contributing to global challenges such as coastal flooding, extreme weather events and forest fires.
- - The declining capacity of the Arctic to store carbon underscores the need to urgently reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate other risks.
  - Reindeer, or caribou, are on the decline due to climate change, which is affecting indigenous communities that depend on them for food and cultural practices.

About Arctic Region:

Region	The Arctic is the northernmost polar region of the Earth. It includes the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (USA), Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
Climate	Characterized by a cold climate with temperatures often dropping below freezing.
Geopolitical Significance	Rich in natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and minerals, making it a region of international interest and competition for control.
India's Involvement	India signed the Svalbard Treaty in 1920, marking its early interest in the Arctic region.
Arctic Research Program	Launched in 2007, followed by the establishment of the Himadri Research Base in Norway's Svalbard archipelago in 2008.
Observer Status	India obtained observer status in the Arctic Council in 2013.
Arctic Policy	Announced in 2022, the policy focuses on engagement in climate research, with the National Center for Polar and Ocean Research as the nodal agency.

About the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

It is a U.S. scientific and regulatory agency charged with forecasting weather, monitoring oceanic and atmospheric conditions, charting the seas, conducting deep-sea exploration, and managing fisheries and protecting marine mammals and endangered species in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. The agency is part of the United States Department of Commerce and is based in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/tundra

Source:

INDIAN EXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.The Arctic Tundra, once a carbon sink, is now turning into a carbon source. Analyze the causes and consequences of this shift on the global climate system. (150 words).