Arctic Climate Feedbacks

Arctic climate feedbacks are processes that amplify warming in the Arctic region. When the Arctic ice melts due to rising temperatures, it exposes darker ocean and land surfaces, which absorb more sunlight instead of reflecting it as ice would. This increased absorption raises temperatures further, causing more ice to melt in a reinforcing cycle. Additionally, thawing permafrost releases stored greenhouse gases like methane, trapping more heat in the atmosphere. These feedbacks accelerate global warming and impact weather patterns worldwide, making Arctic changes a significant component of the overall climate system.