Just so you know, scientists can find cities from satellites now using (1) light detection at night and (2) methane emissions, a product of combustion and leaking natural gas lines.

If there is some proof of permafrost releases of methane I'd love to see the reports and sources, as it seems conjectural to me (e.g., it is too soon to tell, as mentioned above).  

As an add-on, Dr. Jeff Masters found that last month was the second hottest ever in a 128-year history. Most of Siberia was well above climo although the northern tier of America was cooler due to La Nina - except parts of Alaska were relatively warmer.
-sammie

Onward through the fog

Not the end, not yet.

If, even with the increase, we don't reach 450 ppm for the next few decades, that gives me much greater hope that we can reverse this trend before it reaches extremely catastrophic levels.

It would be a titanic effort though.  Getting the eqwuipment to the remote regions.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

when do we set up camp in DC? the carbon market idea is terrifying.

In fact, they represent a climate forcing potention equal to about 13 percent of the CO2 level.

2007 CO2 level is about 385 ppm; thus CO2 equalvents are comparable to a CO2 level of 412 ppm today.

A lot to think about.

John McCormick

One bit was especially dramatic, IMO: one team of scientists went searching for evidence of melting permafrost and/or methane emissions. They found a huge area of bubbles being released ("it looks like the lake is boiling!". The gas being released apparently had a "foul stench, like rotten eggs" and they quickly collected five trash bags full of the gas for a flammability test.  The bags made a gratifyingly big explosion, indicating (according to the show) at least 10% methane composition (more gas was collected for analysis back at a lab).  The thing that made a shiver creep down my spine is that the young scientist (a glaciologist, I believe) seemed completely freaked out, like "the shit has hit the fan, people" and seemed to struggle to convey the seriousness of the finding without running around screaming "the sky is falling, the sky is falling!"

Anyway, the show is worth a look.  But you might suffer a sleepness night or two - I have.

As far as "melting permafrost" increasing GHG and global warming...mmm...why is this never mentioned since the ice has been melting all along...

Texeme.Construct(function(x)=Participation(x))

http://www.commoncurrent.com/notes/2008/04/shell-oil-scen ...

of course, nobody denies that we'll keep using oil for the next decade at least... unless the exporting countries hoard it for their own grandkids, like with the basmati and jasmine rice!

Is there new information on this?

Farm biogas digestion has the potential to effectively save 25 times the GHG that it emits when converted to electric power, by preventing manure run off.  And it's a great backup power source for the renewable grid.

It will revive the farm economy too.  And provide organic fertilizer that will cut farm costs and make organic farming profitable.


http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

How to make farms the GHG saving renewable smart grid backup.

http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog