A 5˚C Arctic

The document argues that the Arctic is warming faster than the rest of the globe and will experience a temperature increase of 3.75C to nearly 5C even if the Paris Agreement targets are met. This amplification leads to critical global feedbacks, including sea level rise from the Greenland ice sheet and the release of carbon from thawing permafrost. The authors call for an immediate scale-up of decarbonization, the development of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies, and the establishment of a strategic, stakeholder-driven adaptation program for Arctic societies. It also emphasizes the need for a coordinated Arctic Observing System with early warning components to track rapid changes and the creation of a unified Arctic coalition to influence global climate policy.

• Arctic warming triggers global feedbacks, such as the ice-albedo feedback and the release of stored carbon from thawing permafrost, which further drive global warming. Additionally, a complete melt of the Greenland ice sheet would cause a global average sea level rise of approximately seven meters.
• Arctic communities are currently facing urgent threats from coastal erosion and permafrost thaw, necessitating strategic adaptation and relocation support.
• The authors recommend the immediate deployment of deep decarbonization and the acceleration of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies to control future warming.
• Solar radiation management (SRM) is viewed as an absolute emergency measure rather than a primary solution, as it does not address ocean acidification and carries risks of shifting precipitation patterns.
• There is an urgent need for a long-term, internationally coordinated Arctic Observing System that includes early warning components and realistic system models to inform decision-makers.

APA

Widstrand, S. (2016). A 5˚C Arctic. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/100/937v7fad5s_5C_Arctic_brochure_NEW_lowres.pdf

Chicago

Widstrand, Staffan. A 5˚C Arctic. WWF International, 2016. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/100/937v7fad5s_5C_Arctic_brochure_NEW_lowres.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Widstrand |first1=Staffan |title=A 5˚C Arctic |publisher=WWF International |date=28 September 2016 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/100/937v7fad5s_5C_Arctic_brochure_NEW_lowres.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{widstrand2016arctic, author = {Widstrand, Staffan}, title = {{A 5˚C Arctic}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2016}, month = sep, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/100/937v7fad5s_5C_Arctic_brochure_NEW_lowres.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }