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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."

9 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!

  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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.