Arctic, a climate change alarm bell

The Arctic, a region particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, is emitting more carbon dioxide (CO2) than it stores, according to a US report recently published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This alarming trend is attributed to the increase in the number of fires and the melting of permafrost, a frozen soil that stores huge amounts of carbon.

• Forest fires amplify emissions

"The Arctic tundra, which is facing warming and an increase in forest fires, is emitting more carbon than it stores," said Rick Spinrad, head of NOAA. The fires release CO2 into the atmosphere by burning vegetation and destroying insulating layers of soil, thus accelerating the melting of permafrost. This process leads to the additional release of carbon dioxide and methane, two major greenhouse gases. Canada's record-breaking 2023 wildfire season released nearly 400 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the annual emissions of regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean. This highlights the global impact of climate change on the Arctic.

• Amplification of climate change

The Arctic is warming faster than other regions, a phenomenon known as "Arctic amplification." Factors such as melting snow and ice and rising ocean temperatures are helping to accelerate this process. The temperature of permafrost soils, at depths of at least 15 metres, continues to rise, and the summer of 2024 was the wettest on record.

• Impacts on local communities and ecosystems

The melting permafrost threatens indigenous communities, who depend on the stability of the ice and traditional hunting practices. Coastal erosion, fueled by increased precipitation and melting ice, is another major risk to these communities. "The fact that the tundra is emitting more CO2 than it stores is an alarming early warning sign," warns Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She emphasizes that permafrost emissions are a serious problem, although they will not exceed emissions generated by fossil fuels.

• Urgent action needed

The researchers warn that unless steps are taken to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the negative impacts on Arctic ecosystems could become irreversible. Protecting the Arctic is essential not only for the region, but also for global climate stability.