Arctic Carbon Sink Turns Source Amid Rising Wildfires

Why in the News ?

A new study reveals the Arctic Boreal Zone has begun releasing more carbon than it absorbs due to intensifying wildfires and permafrost thaw, marking a shift from carbon sink to source and raising concerns over climate change feedback loops.

Arctic Carbon Sink Turns Source Amid Rising Wildfires

Intensifying Wildfires Worldwide:

  • Wildfires across the S. (Texas, Oklahoma, California), Japan, and India have caused massive destruction, claiming lives, homes, and natural ecosystems.
  • California’s Eaton Fire destroyed 14,000 structures and burned 16,000 hectares.
  • Japan’s February wildfire affected over 2,900 hectares near Ofunato City.
  • India’s Uttarakhand reported 5,315 forest fires in one year.
  • Wildfires released 800,000 tonnes of carbon in January 2025—four times more than a decade ago.

Arctic Boreal Zone’s Troubling Shift:

  • The Arctic Boreal Zone (ABZ), once a major carbon sink, is now releasing carbon.
  • A study (1990–2020) found 30% of ABZ now emits more carbon than it absorbs.
  • Alaska (44%), Northern Europe (25%), and Siberia (13%) are major emission zones.
  • The 2003 Siberia and 2012 Canada wildfires significantly contributed to this shift.

Climate Feedback Loop and Global Impact:

  • Thawing permafrost in the Arctic leads to CO₂ emissions due to decomposition.
  • Higher temperatures, longer dry spells, and early heatwaves fuel wildfires.
  • The resulting carbon emissions exacerbate global warming, leading to more fires.
  • This dangerous loop threatens the planet’s climate regulation systems and intensifies climate change.