NASA study reveals thawing Arctic permafrost shifts from carbon sink to emissions source
A new study co-authored by NASA scientists shows that thawing permafrost in the Arctic is releasing greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming. The research indicates that the region has shifted from being a carbon sink to a net source of emissions.
From 2000 to 2020, emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from permafrost have largely offset the carbon dioxide absorbed by the land. The study highlights that lakes and wetlands are significant sources of methane, which is more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
The research utilized both ground-based and satellite measurements to assess greenhouse gas emissions across 7 million square miles of permafrost. The findings reveal a complex balance of emissions and absorptions, with the region's role in climate change becoming increasingly significant.