Climate trouble may be bubbling up in far north

[Swede]

Permafrost, tundra soil frozen year-round and covering almost one-fifth of Earth's land surface, runs anywhere from 50 to 600 meters (160 to 2,000 feet) deep in this region. Entombed in that freezer is carbon — plant and animal matter accumulated through millennia.

As the soil thaws, these ancient deposits finally decompose, attacked by microbes, producing carbon dioxide and — if in water — methane. Both are greenhouse gases, but methane is many times more powerful in warming the atmosphere.

Researchers led by the University of Florida's Ted Schuur last year calculated that the top 3 meters (10 feet) of permafrost alone contain more carbon than is currently in the atmosphere.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i95cdYgYkw4qtBvKXa_n70i_pkJgD9ADC1C01

[Chemisse]

1. In addition

The moisture that was in the permafrost runs off, adding to the ocean waters.

Plus the snowcover would then be present for less time each year, meaning the sun's energy would be absorbed rather than reflected, adding to warming.

It's pretty hard to put the genie back in the bottle now.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. Not just the far north

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I live in Mattawa, just 60 km East of North Bay, Ontario; 300 klicks north of Toronto.

We have had an increasing amount of rain for the last two years, more this year than last.

Flooding, road washout-outs, garden/crop failures because of the rain are on the increase -

We have a short growing season up here, and the rains have made it even shorter.

So climate change IS REAL.

Blame it on whatever/whomever you want - but our climate is changing, and not for the better IMO.

Hoomans wake up - we can't keep dumping our shit into the air, the oceans and on our land without paying a price.

OR

Just cary on until we extinct ourselves, and the other animals will recover and not miss us hoomans one little bit.

WE are the most UNNEEDED species on this planet to continue a balance of nature.

And we believe "god" put us here?

I don't think so . . .

But then again, maybe he had a brain fart -

We're it?

hmm . .

[SPedigrees]

5. Same here in Vermont (USA). Rainiest two summers in recorded history.

----We have had an increasing amount of rain for the last two years, more this year than last.----

[Richard D]

3. Positive feedback . . .

. . . scary stuff and once it starts, not much can be done.

[charlie]

4. Next, the methane hydrates

And then it's the Runaway Greenhouse Express.

[Kaleva]

6. Climate change is going to happen

One can delay the process but can't stop it. It may be wise for nations and people to prepare for the inevitable by using the best models available to predict future climate conditions and what impact that will have.

[no bad days]

7. I agree................

I think many need to look to the past as well. Greenland used to be well, green. We have seen climate change before in fact the 1930's dust bowl comes to mind. Perhaps we should be studying past models.