The Arctic has experienced its warmest summer on record this year, triggering unusual wildfires and melting glaciers while posing a series of threats to the rest of the world, including rising sea levels, according to a U.S. report released on Tuesday. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2023 Arctic Report shows that,Due to human-caused climate change, the Arctic is warming twice as fast as the rest of the world. Surface temperatures in the Arctic this summer are the highest since at least 1900, or more than a century..


The annual report shows that extreme weather and climate events with global impacts are becoming more frequent.

Warming temperatures combined with below-normal precipitation in parts of northern Canada and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago have led to extreme wildfire seasons in these areas.

Meanwhile, Greenland's ice sheet has lost an additional 350 trillion pounds (158.7 billion metric tons) of ice as high temperatures cause glaciers to melt, continuing a trend of land ice losses that began in 1998.

The report stated that Greenland’s highest point, the Summit Station (Summit Station) at an altitude of 3,216 meters, experienced the fifth melting of glaciers since records began 34 years ago. The cumulative area of ​​glaciers melting daily is close to a record high.

The report also details "conclusive evidence of arctic greening," with shrubs and trees taking over grasslands and tundra as temperatures rise, precipitation increases, and permafrost melts. "

"Arctic greening" means an increase in the greenness of vegetation in the Arctic land surface area, which is significantly related to temperature, seasonal snow cover, and human activities.

The report noted that the so-called "peak tundra greenness" in the Arctic reached the third highest level in 24 years of research.

“Arctic greening” would accelerate climate change by releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in permafrost.

Threaten the rest of the world

"Arctic warming has profound long-term consequences beyond the region," the report said.Because loss of land ice causes sea levels to rise, threatening housing, transportation and businesses in coastal cities.

Brenda Ekwurzel, climate science director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said the report found that "Irreversible climate harm caused by Arctic overheating will continue to affect North America and Eurasia. "