A vast expanse of western Sibera is undergoing an unprecedented thaw that could dramatically increase the rate of global warming, climate scientists warn today.Good thing global warming doesn't really exist, otherwise this might be a serious development. Now, where'd I park my Hummer.
Researchers who have recently returned from the region found that an area of permafrost spanning a million square kilometres - the size of France and Germany combined - has started to melt for the first time since it formed 11,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
The area, which covers the entire sub-Arctic region of western Siberia, is the world's largest frozen peat bog and scientists fear that as it thaws, it will release billions of tonnes of methane, a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.
It is a scenario climate scientists have feared since first identifying "tipping points" - delicate thresholds where a slight rise in the Earth's temperature can cause a dramatic change in the environment that itself triggers a far greater increase in global temperatures.
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Bogged Down
This isn't good.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
It's happening in Alaska, and northern Canada too.
And no one will do anything to stop it before it's too late.
Human nature, greed, short sited concerns, and who cares about the future!
That approach is certainly in control of this nation's energy policy - and with the developing nations demanding ever greater amounts of electricity, and gasoline there won't be anyway to stop the inevitable melting of the icecaps, and the vast changes in store for the world's climate.
But who cares? That's in the future, let them deal with it!
JeromeProphet
Post a Comment