New data compiled in NOAA’s 2024 Arctic Report card illuminates the delicate balance between boreal/arctic regions production of carbon dioxide (especially fire smoke and microbial respiration) and it’s uptake (by photosynthesizing vegetation). This balance is sensitive to ambient temperature, and of course is influenced in various ways by wildfire. Slowing down the atmospheric increase in CO₂ from burning fossil fuels has taken on some urgency as we see more and more adverse impacts from warmer atmosphere and oceans due to its greenhouse effects. Land management and fire management may have a role to play, especially as we race to develop alternative energy sources. Take a look at this well-illustrated 8-p summary to bring yourself up to speed with what’s happening with carbon in the north country. Link to the report: https://doi.org/10.25923/0gpp-mn10

“When including wildfire emissions, the Arctic tundra region has shifted to a carbon dioxide (CO₂) source and is a consistent methane (CH4) source.” (Natali et al. 2024, NOAA Technical Report OAR ARC ; 24-11)