The climate crisis and the Arctic: Urgent action needed at COP29

By WWF Global Arctic Programme

This year may be the hottest ever recorded, with extreme weather becoming more common worldwide — heatwaves, wildfires, floods, and storms are taking a heavy toll on people, economies, and the environment.

In the Arctic, the crisis is even more intense. Temperatures there are rising nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet, causing rapid ice melt and loss of animal habitats. Iconic species like polar bears and walruses are at serious risk, as they depend on stable ice to hunt and survive.

As temperatures rise, the Arctic Ocean absorbs large amounts of CO₂, leading to increased ocean acidification. This chemical change harms creatures with shells, like clams and sea snails, which are vital to the Arctic food web. The decline of these species jeopardizes the broader ecosystem, impacting species that depend on them for food, including fish, seabirds, and marine mammals.

Ocean acidification is just one part of a much bigger problem — Arctic ecosystems are under stress from warming, and these changes reach beyond the region, disrupting food security and traditional ways of life for Indigenous Arctic communities.

Tipping points and global consequences

Despite recent climate efforts, the world is still far from meeting essential climate goals, putting the Arctic on the edge of dangerous, irreversible changes, or tipping points. Warming in the Arctic affects not only local wildlife and communities but also the stability of the Greenland ice sheet and the permafrost layer. Melting ice contributes to rising sea levels, which threatens coastal cities around the world, while thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases that speed up global warming.

Another alarming effect of warming in the Arctic is the rapid loss of multi-year sea ice. Unlike younger ice that melts in summer, multi-year ice has historically persisted year-round and plays a vital role in regulating the region’s climate. Without it, dark ocean waters absorb more sunlight, increasing Arctic temperatures and hastening ice loss.

Projections suggest that summer sea ice could vanish entirely as early as the 2030s, intensifying the warming cycle. This would have severe consequences for Arctic species, including narwhals, polar bears, and seals, which rely on the ice for hunting and shelter. Every fraction of a degree of warming now counts, as the loss of Arctic ice speeds up climate change across the globe.

A critical call for action and investment

The rapid destruction of Arctic ecosystems drives home the need for urgent action to limit warming to 1.5°C. This target is essential to preserve Arctic biodiversity, which in turn helps sustain global climate stability. Arctic nations, especially, must lead in reducing emissions by transitioning to renewable energy, phasing out fossil fuels, and investing in energy efficiency.

Immediate action in the Arctic will have enormous benefits, helping to stabilize global climate and protect biodiversity.

Beyond reducing emissions, substantial investment is needed to build resilience in the Arctic. COP29 must see countries commit to ambitious climate finance targets that support that support Arctic communities, biodiversity, and Indigenous-led initiatives.

This includes funding to monitor and respond to ecosystem changes, protect traditional livelihoods, and build climate-resilient communities. Arctic Indigenous Peoples are particularly affected by warming and ice loss, with traditional food sources and cultural practices at risk. A just transformation for Arctic communities will be critical as they navigate these rapid changes.

Safeguarding the Arctic for global stability

Healthy Arctic ecosystems are vital for a stable climate worldwide. Nature-based solutions, particularly in the Arctic, provide powerful tools to mitigate climate impacts by storing carbon and regulating temperatures. Yet, if warming exceeds 1.5°C, the Arctic could lose critical ecosystems, like permafrost and summer sea ice, which store vast amounts of carbon.

Without urgent intervention, these resources may be lost permanently, escalating global climate impacts and creating feedback loops that are difficult to reverse.

COP29 represents a crucial turning point. The global community must prioritize protecting the Arctic to ensure climate resilience and stability for generations to come. Immediate and collective action to limit warming, protect Arctic biodiversity, and invest in adaptation measures will benefit not only the Arctic but also the planet as a whole.

The call to action is clear and has been for a long time: to safeguard both the Arctic and the world, we must act now to preserve this unique and irreplaceable ecosystem.

This was the first stop motion animation to be created completely out of melting ice by NOMINT animation studio. It was released during COP26 but we still can’t negotiate with ice.