Siberian tundra faces extinction by 2500 without emission cuts

Researchers are sounding the alarm, stating that without a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the Siberian tundra could vanish by 2500. This is a serious issue because melting permafrost can release dangerous microbes and chemical compounds. Live Science highlights that even optimistic forecasts predict the disappearance of 70% of the tundra landscape.

Melting permafrost in the Arctic is associated with the release of massive amounts of greenhouse gases, accelerating global warming. In polar regions, warming is progressing at twice the rate of other parts of the world. The National Snow and Ice Data Center reports that from 1960 to 2019, temperatures in the Arctic rose by nearly 4 degrees Celsius.

Climate change affects endemic species and nomadic peoples, such as the Nenets, who may lose the ability to maintain their traditional lifestyle. The tundra giving way to larch trees changes the ecosystem, posing a threat to their existence.

Scientists in Nature Climate Change warn that thawing permafrost could release dangerous microbes from thousands of years ago. Arctic permafrost covers 24% of the land surface, and among the hibernated pathogens there may be unknown viruses and bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

The melting of permafrost carries the risk of releasing radioactive substances resulting from nuclear tests by the Soviet Union and activities of the American Camp Century in Greenland. Permafrost also hides methane, mercury, and arsenic, posing additional environmental threats.

The rapid pace of glacier melting in Greenland indicates growing consequences for Europe and the rest of the world. In the decade during the summers of 2012 and 2019, melting ice reached record amounts exceeding 600 gigatons. The direct cause of this phenomenon is global warming, which manifests as a fourfold increase in Arctic temperatures compared to the rest of the planet. This not only raises sea levels but also alters weather patterns.

In Siberia, explosions create massive craters in the ice cover, which can affect the global climate. These events release large amounts of methane, which can significantly increase warming. Mysterious craters, especially on the Yamal Peninsula, have become the focus of scientific research, identifying the mechanism of methane hydrate exposure due to increasing osmotic pressure.

Rapid changes are occurring in the Arctic, with sea ice diminishing at a fast pace. Research shows that by mid-century, September could be completely ice-free, something that once seemed like a distant prospect. The outcome could be the emergence of unpredictable invasive species and changes in local ecosystems. The loss of ice disrupts the natural protective barrier against waves, negatively impacting coastal communities.

Climate changes in the Arctic, especially in the context of the inevitable loss of sea ice, highlight the necessity for immediate reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Forecasts indicate that the Arctic could become ice-free for most of the year, once considered unimaginable. Ice recovery is possible, but it requires urgent reduction of CO₂ levels, necessitating global action.