"Report from US Geological Survey says northern wildfires must now be seen as significant driver of climate change, not just a side-effect".

"The devastating rise in Alaska’s wildfires is making global warming even worse than scientists expected, US government researchers said on Wednesday.

The sharp spike in Alaska’s wildfires, where more than 5 million acres burned last year, are destroying a main buffer against climate change: the carbon-rich boreal forests, tundra and permafrost that have served as an enormous carbon sink.

Northern wildfires must now be recognised as a significant driver of climate change – and not just a side-effect, according to the report from the US Geological Survey."

Suzanne Goldenberg reports for the Guardian June 1, 2016. [2]