Methane leaks from Siberian ice - a greenhouse timebomb

[upi402]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_climate_siberian_meltdown;_ylt=Ai8lXClbkKYnpP52G0b1zfJH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTM2bmphZzg1BGFzc2V0A2FwL2V1X2NsaW1hdGVfc2liZXJpYW5fbWVsdGRvd24EY2NvZGUDdmlld3NoYXJlBGNwb3MDNgRwb3MDNgRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA2xlYWtpbmdzaWJlcg--">SOURCE

"Gas locked inside Siberia's frozen soil and under its lakes has been seeping out since the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago. But in the past few decades, as the Earth has warmed, the icy ground has begun thawing more rapidly, accelerating the release of methane — a greenhouse gas 23 times more powerful than carbon dioxide — at a perilous rate."

I hope the folks in Cancun are paying attention more than paying fealty.

[upi402]

1. kicking this

sorry but I feel this is a big issue lurking, trumping even NFL football and stars dancing!

[earth mom]

2. Everyone should see this. Thanks for posting! nt

[Radical Activist]

3. And the US Senate still refuses to take a vote during the lame duck session.

Their incompetence is deadly.

[Parker CA]

4. Kick and Rec!

[Odin2005]

5. Shiiiiiiit!!!

:scared:

[BrklynLiberal]

6. I recall reading about this effect several years ago.

As the icecaps melt, methane will be released at greater rates. There was also some mention of the fact that the landmass that had been white..and reflective of light, will become dark and absorbent of light which will effect the climate of the planet.

[gtar100]

7. What the earth will be in another million years could be dramatically shaped

by our actions today. If humans are wiped from the earth (along with a lot of other mammals), the underlying urge of life to exist will continue. Hopefully lessons will be learned - not in the brain-type memory but in something greater. Humanity has such great promise. But if it is flawed due to short-sighted self interest, then that trait will need to be weeded out. Still, evolution is no guarantee of advancement. It may just mean life going back to the drawing board and trying again. Then maybe one day consciousness itself will awaken the entirety of the universe. But we're a far cry from that right now. The only consolation is that every particle and aspect of our being is part of it all and always will be.

[gateley]

8. K&R. I don't understand the Cancun reference - could you explain?

Thanks.

[southmost]

9. Cancun is where a summit is taking place...

"Climate change moves back to center-stage on Nov. 29 when governments meet in Cancun, Mexico"

[Blue_In_AK]

10. I'm currently learning how to breathe methane.

This skill will probably come in handy over the next few years, especially living where I do.