Decline of stored carbon in northern ecosystems

Each year, the world’s leading climate scientists evaluate the most critical evidence on how our planet is changing. Their assessments draw heavily on data from Earth-observing satellites – and the latest 10 New Insights in Climate Science report delivers a stark warning: the planet’s energy balance is drifting further out of alignment, oceans are warming at unprecedented rates, and the land’s capacity to absorb carbon is declining, along with other troubling trends.

Insight number three highlights a significant decline in land-based carbon uptake since 2016 and sharp drop in 2023. This raises concerns that more carbon may remain in the atmosphere, shrinking the remaining carbon budget. Northern hemisphere ecosystems – once considered relatively resilient – are increasingly affected by wildfires and permafrost thaw.

Read full story: Revealed: 10 new insights in climate science