Verizon and AT&T Contain China-Linked Cyberattack, Securing Networks
US telecom giants Verizon and AT&T confirm containment of Salt Typhoon cyberespionage group's hacking campaign, securing networks and protecting high-profile government customers
Riley King
The Arctic tundra, once a crucial carbon sink, has transformed into a net source of carbon dioxide emissions, exacerbating climate change. This alarming shift is attributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in the region, as revealed in the latest Arctic Report Card released at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference.
For millennia, the Arctic tundra has played a vital role in stabilizing global temperatures by storing carbon in the frozen ground. However, the rising temperatures fueled by climate change have led to more frequent and intense wildfires, releasing the stored carbon into the atmosphere. This vicious cycle is accelerating climate change, making the planet even hotter.
According to Twila Moon, lead editor of the Arctic Report Card and deputy lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center, "Climate change is not bringing about a new normal. Instead, climate change is bringing ongoing and rapid change." The Arctic's permafrost, which has kept planet-heating carbon sequestered for thousands of years, is thawing, releasing previously trapped greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The Arctic tundra, characterized by tree-less plains, shrubs, grasses, and mosses, has traditionally taken in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. However, as the permafrost thaws, the microbes that break down dead plants are reactivated, releasing the stored carbon into the atmosphere. The Arctic has been warming nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet, leading to a significant increase in wildfires.
Wildfires are a growing problem in the Arctic, with dead vegetation providing a perfect fuel source. The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the worst on record, releasing over 640 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the annual carbon pollution of a large country like China, the US, or India.
The Arctic Report Card reveals that the tundra is now releasing more CO2 than it captures, a long-term trend expected to continue. While the amount of carbon dioxide leaking from the tundra is small compared to human activity emissions, it contributes to the numerous ways life in the Arctic is becoming increasingly challenging. Caribou populations, for example, have dropped by 65% over the last few decades as global warming transforms their habitat.
Some species, like ice seals in Alaska, are adapting to the changing environment by altering their diet. However, understanding the rapid changes in the Arctic, as highlighted by the Arctic Report Card, is crucial for humans to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. The report, produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in collaboration with 97 scientists from 11 countries, emphasizes the need for strong actions to reduce emissions and minimize risk and damage.
In conclusion, the transformation of the Arctic tundra into a net carbon emitter is a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address climate change. As Twila Moon aptly put it, "While we can hope that many plants and animals will find pathways to adaptation... hope is not a pathway for preparation or risk reduction." The Arctic, and the globe, require immediate and drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the devastating consequences of climate change.
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