The Arctic tundra is experiencing significant melting and thawing due to climate change, with the most noticeable impact being the decline in Arctic sea ice extent, which is shrinking; the summer minimum has decreased by 13.2% per decade. This decline is linked to Arctic amplification, where the Arctic warms at a faster rate than the rest of the globe. In comparison, the Arctic is warming at twice the global rate, resulting in a decrease in sea ice, particularly during the summer months, at a rate of approximately 13% per decade. This melting also affects the Permafrost, which is usually permanently frozen ground, causing it to thaw at an alarming rate and release greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere. This release of the stored carbon and methane it contains further contributes to climate change, while also impacting the infrastructure and ecosystems in the Arctic. The warming temperatures in the Arctic are leading to changes in the tundra's vegetation, with shrubs and other plants expanding into areas previously covered by tundra. This shift can impact the habitats of wildlife and their ability to survive.
The warming climate is also contributing to increased wildfire activity in the Arctic, thereby exacerbating the region's carbon balance and releasing additional greenhouse gases. These changes in the Arctic also have far-reaching consequences, including rising sea levels, altered weather patterns, and impacts on global climate systems.