Bummer: Carbon dioxide is allegedly making the Arctic both wetter and drier, and both are bad

Wetter Arctic could influence climate change, study finds

ScienceDaily (Sep. 5, 2012) — Increased precipitation and river discharge in the Arctic has the potential to speed climate change, according to the results of a study led by Xiangdong Zhang, a scientist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center.

"As the Earth's climate continues to change, the high-latitude North is becoming even wetter than before," Zhang says. "In particular, air moisture, precipitation and river discharge have increased, leading to a stronger water cycle. These recent changes may intensify climate system interactions and further advance climate change."

2011:  The Arctic Institute - Arctic Fires May Add to Global Warming

As warmer and drier climate patterns prevail, Arctic fires could become a new climate feedback, not only releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere but also sawing the permafrost and thus releasing the vast quantities of methane contained in the soil.

The year 2007 saw unusually warm and dry conditions across the Arctic