Arctic Melt Releasing Ancient Methane

Global warming is a huge issue in society today as levels of pollution continue to increase, and with the climate already warming and the artic thawing, many problems have risen. Although individuals studying the melting of the ice predicted some of the effects, such as loss of habitation for animals living up there, there are some results they didnt predict, one of which is the release of ancient methane. Trapped under the ice for many millennia, as the ice melts the gas is beginning to make its way into the atmosphere. With methane being the second important greenhouse gas, first being carbon dioxide, it is believe this gas may have a large impact on the climate change. Currrently 150 000 methane seeps have been located in the Alaska and Greenland, with the gas being identified by the ratio of different isotopes of carbon in the methane molecules. With active research going on, scientist are beginning to debate the impact this could have on gobal warming. Some believe the impact will not be seen for years, whereas others say it will swiftly accelerate global warming - "the warming will feed the warming." Despite which is true, this also leaves questions about what can happen in other areas covered in permafrost - will ancient gases be found under the ice there too and how will it affect the climate.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18120093

This unpredictable research discovery is something that I never would have considered when taking into consideration the sources of greenhouse gases, specifically methane. Now that we know that even more pollutants leading to global warming are being emmitted due to global warming, we must do something to oppose the acceleration of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas pollutants emmitted from artificial sources. This is also important because as Suzanne said more areas with permafrost are continuing to melt and release samples of methane, and maybe even other greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere which will eventually cause rates of global warming to exponentially increase if we allow artificial sources to continue to contribute to and be the cause of the problem.