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The Arctic Is Leaking Methane

registerShift and other readers sent in news that the Arctic Ocean seabed is leaking methane. "...climate experts familiar with the new research reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science that even though it does not suggest imminent climate catastrophe, it is important because of methane's role as a greenhouse gas. Although carbon dioxide is far more abundant and persistent in the atmosphere, ton for ton atmospheric methane traps at least 25 times as much heat. ... [One scientist] estimated that annual methane emissions from the East Siberian Arctic Shelf total about seven teragrams. (A teragram is 1.1 million tons.) By some estimates, global methane emissions total about 500 teragrams a year. ...about 40 percent is natural, including the decomposition of organic materials in wetlands and frozen wetlands like permafrost."

16 of 303 comments (clear)

  1. Chuck by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Man, it's just a shame global warming isn't real. Then this story may actually have some relevance.

  2. This will NOT stand!! by navygeek · · Score: 4, Funny

    Quick! Someone make an impassioned plea to the U.N. to write a strongly worded letter informing the Arctic that its actions are unacceptable and intolerable. We must not abide this clear violation of greenhouse gas limitation policy. Please, be sure the letter is *strongly worded*!!!

  3. Let me get this straight by kiick · · Score: 5, Funny

    The ice cap is farting?

    1. Re:Let me get this straight by McNihil · · Score: 4, Funny

      Not only that, it is doing it in our general direction!

    2. Re:Let me get this straight by Wiarumas · · Score: 3, Funny

      Yes, the ice cap is farting. Slowly, silent, and deadly. Isn't there a slang word that can be turned into a buzzword for that? Ah, yes: silent but deadly. It should make its way into white papers soon.

      --
      I will bend like a reed in the wind.
  4. Re:Fuel? by ItsJustAPseudonym · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Hey Elsie, pull my hoof. Moo."

  5. US tons are lighter than the rest of the world by YA_Python_dev · · Score: 5, Funny

    1 teragram is exactly 1 milion metric tons, but it's also approximately 1.1 million funny American tons.

    --
    There's a hidden treasure in Python 3.x: __prepare__()
    1. Re:US tons are lighter than the rest of the world by roman_mir · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or in more US friendly units, it's 22 your mommas.

    2. Re:US tons are lighter than the rest of the world by tgd · · Score: 2, Funny

      Ask yo momma, she's seen my furlong.

  6. It's from the under ocean citys by Joe+The+Dragon · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's from the under ocean citys

    1. Re:It's from the under ocean citys by Hurricane78 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Poseidon? Cthulhu need so lay off his Poseidon Masala! ^^

      --
      Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
  7. Re:Let It Burn! by agw · · Score: 4, Funny

    Forgot to mention that nuking the arctic is the only solution to this most trying problem.

    Right. Do it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

  8. Re:Let It Burn! by PopeRatzo · · Score: 3, Funny

    Forgot to mention that nuking the arctic is the only solution to this most trying problem.

    Clearly the arctic is in on conspiracy to try to make it seem like the earth is warming.

    It's well-known that the Earth itself has a liberal bias.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.
  9. Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons by OakDragon · · Score: 4, Funny

    You know what's funny - if the story were about metric vs. U.S. vs. Imperial measurements, the conversation would devolve into a global warming flame-fest.

  10. Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons by maxwell+demon · · Score: 2, Funny

    I would certainly rather have a tone of British ail then a ton of American light beer

    You like to listen to suffering Brits, and afterwards get drunk with American beer? Pervert! :-)

    --
    The Tao of math: The numbers you can count are not the real numbers.
  11. Re:Fuel? by pugugly · · Score: 2, Funny

    Feed them Bubblegum?

    --
    An Invisible Entity of Vast Power whose existence must be taken on faith alone: Liberal Media