next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects
Index of Subjects
Dave: Good reminder -- there's a bit of info at the end of the Wikipedia article on 'methane clathrates' (hydrates) that is worth a look. Two researchers in Sept 2013 in a 'Nature' offshoot reinforced Hansen's earlier warning, saying that the most likely cause of further strengthening of global warming is large scale future thawing of the Arctic permafrost. The total amount in the sea is large but estimates range widely, while estimates of land-based methane hydrates are also large, of comparable value to the lower estimates of the marine deposits.
Presumably these land deposits are mostly too thinly distributed to be extracted commercially before they eventually will escape during permafrost thawing, so no hope there. The article mentions an earlier land-based successful drilling exercise to release gas, but that was into a concentrated deposit in deeper rock in the MacKenzie River delta, not from superficial permafrost. Recent info cited indicates that widespread release of marine derived methane is occurring around certain continental margins.
As you say, Earth may be on the way to being severely disrupted in the not too distant future.
Steve
________________________________________
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] on behalf of David & Alison Webster [dwebster@glinx.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2015 9:00 PM
To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Little Ice Age; right.
Dear all, Nov 15, 2015
I just ran across an item on Facebook (tried to copy link but got a page
full) which featured activities of John Coleman, a global warming denier,
who claims that the sea is not rising, that we are entering a Little Ice Age
etc, etc. Total hogwash but I expect many will swallow this sugar-coated
poison pill.
I may be repeating myself but the Nov issue of National Geographic is
entirely about climate change. Greenland is facing a near future in which
traditional native culture will not be able to exist; communities are
isolated and unable to hunt except during periods of firm ice and this will
soon be transient or absent.
But I find it unsettling that I have seen no mention or Methane hydrate
in the last 5-10 years because, logically, it feeds the main feedback loop
which powers unusual surges in warming. If this source of Methane is not
used before it is released in significant amounts then I think we are toast.
Are all researchers or all of the research funds chasing the carbon puck
and ignoring Methane hydrate ? Or is the news too dire to leak to the press
? Or have I just not tripped across recent Methane Hydrate articles ?
Yt, Dave Webster Kentville
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects