Background Articles

A new study reveals that climate change has shifted large parts of the Arctic from a carbon sink to a net carbon emitter, with up to 40% of tundra, boreal forests, and wetlands releasing more CO2 than they absorb.

The article explains how a severe decline in wild salmon, driven by climate change, is forcing Alaska mushers to abandon traditional subsistence feeding practices in favor of costly commercial dog food. This shift is altering both the practice and culture of dog mushing in the region.

Gardening columnist Jeff Lowenfels explains how trees are built to survive extreme high winds.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that Finland’s average temperature in the first quarter of the 21st century was 1.4°C higher than during 1975–1999, with January in the south and central regions being unusually mild.

A new study in Sweden finds that most of the approximately 1,600 power plant facilities lack fish passages, which sometimes leads to fish fatalities.

Long-term data from eight coastal stations over the past 90 years shows that Norwegian coastal waters have warmed by up to 2°C, impacting local fisheries and marine life.

Data collected over 90 years shows that Norwegian coastal water temperatures have increased by up to 2°C, a shift that is impacting marine ecosystems and local fishing practices.

The article explores how climate change has influenced sled dog genetics, leading to a shift from traditional, thick-coated breeds to leaner, faster dogs better suited for warmer conditions, impacting the tradition of dog mushing in Alaska.

Snow-dependent businesses in Anchorage are struggling as an unusually dry winter with record low snowfall forces snow removal and outdoor gear companies to scale back operations.

The annual toss of salmon carcasses helps provide essential nutrients for Douglas Creek as part of restoration efforts.

Winter temperatures in Russia have risen by an average of 3°C over the past 50 years, with Moscow recording a remarkable 3.5°C that broke a century-old record.

The article recounts the extraordinary 1925 dog sled relay that delivered diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, amid a severe epidemic, highlighting the centennial of this historic event and the heroic efforts of mushers and their dogs who braved harsh conditions to save lives.

Invasive northern pike, traditionally freshwater fish, have been found swimming through Alaska's Cook Inlet, marking the first documented North American case of such behavior, according to a new study.

The Norwegian Armed Forces are installing 1,000 bird boxes to address the shortage of nesting sites for cavity-nesting birds, a move praised by BirdLife Norge but contrasted with criticism of the government's broader seabird conservation plan for lacking concrete actions.

The Western Arctic Caribou Herd in Alaska is declining due to shrubification linked to climate change, while the Porcupine Caribou Herd is thriving due to stable tundra conditions.

University of Calgary researchers have identified a 'structured continuum emission' or white patch within the northern lights as a heat source, further complicating the understanding of auroras.

“It’s out of the ordinary but nothing that’s unprecedented,” according to Arctic Valley Ski Area general manager John Robinson-Wilson.

Maine's investigation into PFAS contamination from sludge-based fertilizer has discovered the chemicals on over 100 farms, posing potential health risks.

The Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race has been postponed by two weeks due to low snowfall and above-freezing temperatures in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Warming temperatures across the Arctic are causing permafrost to thaw and the ground to sink, prompting a new study to call for improved monitoring of these changes.