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Arctic temperatures are rising at a rate three to four times faster than anywhere else on Earth. This rapid change demands urgent international action to mitigate its worldwide impacts.
This year at New York Climate Week, the Arctic Initiative, in collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Woodwell Climate Research Institute, co-hosted an event at the Explorers Club on September 23, 2024. "Beyond the Ice: The Worldwide Impacts of Arctic Extremes" sought to integrate Arctic issues into the broader climate conversation. The event addressed the multifaceted impacts of rapid transformation in the Arctic and underscored the urgent need for action.
The panel included John Holdren, Arctic Initiative Co-Chair and former Science Advisor to President Obama; Sue Natali, Senior Scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center and Lead of the Permafrost Pathways initiative; and Edward Alexander, Co-Chair of the Gwich’in Council International and Head of Delegation to the Senior Arctic Officials. Allison Agsten, Director of the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication and Arctic Initiative alumnae, moderated the event.
Watch the recording of the "Beyond the Ice: The Worldwide Impacts of Arctic Extremes" panel from New York Climate Week 2024.
Below are key points raised by the panelists:
The broader implications of Arctic changes extend far beyond the region. Shrinking glaciers and Arctic sea ice are major contributors to sea level rise, threatening coastal communities worldwide. Wildfires in the Arctic accelerate the rate of permafrost thaw and release toxic smoke and pollutants that travel across continents, affecting air quality as far away as major cities like New York and Philadelphia and causing significant health impacts. The rapid warming in the Arctic also alters atmospheric and oceanic circulation patterns, amplifying extreme weather events across the Northern Hemisphere. These interconnected challenges highlight the critical role the Arctic plays in the larger climate system.
Arctic warming, occurring at three to four times the global average, is accelerating the thaw of permafrost—a critical yet often overlooked component of the climate system. Permafrost consists of perennially frozen ground soil that, when it thaws, releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These emissions contribute to global warming, creating a feedback loop that accelerates climate change. Sue Natali emphasized the importance of incorporating thawing permafrost into climate models. She called for increased research funding to study permafrost dynamics and enhance our understanding of its effects. “We’ve done amazing things when we have committed money to exploring the bottom of the ocean, exploring the moon,” she said. “If we really want to do this, then put money into model development. If we truly want to know what our climate is going to look like, we need to put the money in and we need to have the commitment for the modeling community to do the work.”
Permafrost thaw poses significant risks both locally and globally. Locally, it destabilizes infrastructure such as roads, buildings, and pipelines, disrupting economies and communities. Globally, the release of stored carbon and methane into the atmosphere exacerbates climate change and impacts weather patterns far beyond the Arctic. Despite these substantial implications, permafrost is only recently gaining attention in major climate reports, with the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report being the first to consider its effects.
Indigenous peoples, such as the Gwich’in, are acutely affected by the rapid changes in the Arctic, and Indigenous knowledge has a crucial role to play in addressing Arctic climate impacts. Located mainly in northern areas of Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories of Canada, Gwich’in lands have experienced unprecedented warming, resulting in significant environmental changes, including increased wildfires.
Cumulative burned area of the Arctic Boreal Zone 2004-2024
“Our area has warmed 9 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) since I have been alive…65% of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge has burned since I was born. The area burned is equal to the size of four Delawares."
-Edward Alexander
Gwich’in communities hold invaluable traditional ecological knowledge that can inform adaptive strategies and enhance resilience. Traditional practices like cultural burnings are essential for managing forest health and mitigating uncontrolled fire risks in the boreal forest— the largest sequestration system of carbon on land.
Addressing the challenges posed by changes in the Arctic demands strong international cooperation. The primary driver of permafrost thaw is rapid warming in the Arctic, which has been exacerbated by greenhouse gas emissions. “Thawing permafrost could take a bite amounting to 20% of how much all of the global civilization can emit before we exceed two degrees Celsius,” cautioned John Holdren. “Rising emissions can only be effectively mitigated through coordinated global efforts."
Natali emphasized the critical importance of taking immediate action to address Arctic changes despite the ongoing need for research. “This is not an unsolvable problem," she said, noting that there is already sufficient evidence to inform effective climate policies and interventions. "We don’t have to sit around and wait to get to the perfect answer; it will be too late if we wait that long.”
Engaging the public in conversations about climate change, particularly on lesser-known topics like permafrost thaw, can help to drive political change. Raising awareness and understanding of Arctic issues allows rights holders and diverse stakeholders to advocate for action, both locally and globally. International collaboration can help bridge this gap by offering financial assistance, promoting knowledge exchange, and fostering a shared commitment to address these urgent challenges.
Urgent action is needed from individuals, policymakers, and global leaders to address the rapidly escalating climate crisis. By integrating Arctic issues into global climate discussions, we can forge collective solutions for a resilient planet. Increased awareness, informed policymaking, and collaborative strategies involving Indigenous communities are vital to developing effective climate responses.
“These unprecedented shifts are creating significant challenges demanding collaborative efforts to develop equitable and sustainable management strategies,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco, who opened the session. “By working all together, we can shape a future where the Arctic and the Antarctic continues to provide key services for the planet.”
Glock, Lydia. “Beyond the Ice: The Worldwide Impacts of Arctic Extremes.” Edited by Varvares, Tessa and Elizabeth Hanlon. October 30, 2024
