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Faster Global Warming From Permafrost Melt

jc42 writes, "A recent study published in Nature documents the accelerating release of methane from melting permafrost. Methane is a greenhouse gas 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide, so this may signal more rapid warming in the near future. If you don't subscribe to Nature, the Guardian has a good summary of the piece." It's not just Siberian permafrost. One of the major concerns is bogs — they account for a relatively small percent of total surface space, but have a large amount of carbon locked up. No one is sure if the greenhouse effect will cause them to lock up more, or to release more carbon.

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  1. Re:Chicken-little titles... by Scrameustache · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sensationalist titles like this are why I still have my doubts about global warning.

    Ok, ignore the JOURNALIST'S READER-BAIT title, and think for a moment about the fact at hand:

    The permafrost is melting.
    The layer of soil named after the fact that it is permanently frozen is melting.

    Think about it.

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    You can't take the sky from me...