Plans for the International Polar Year 2026 are being intensively prepared in the context of the rapid warming of the Arctic. A new study published in Science Advances shows that the Arctic has entered a new era of extreme bioclimatic events that threaten ecosystems. Scientists from the Finnish Meteorological Institute and an international team analyzed changes over seven decades and found an increase in extreme events such as prolonged heat waves, frosts during the growing season, and warm winter periods.[1][5] In addition to rising average temperatures, these events affect plants, animals and people in the region. The study identified hotspots of change in western Scandinavia, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and central Siberia.[1] At least one new type of extreme event is occurring on one-third of the Arctic landmass. Changes in seasonal conditions and extremes have consequences for ecosystem functioning and biodiversity.[5]