New research indicates that periods of global warming in the past triggered the release of vast quantities of methane stored beneath the oceans. These reserves are generated over long periods of time by bacteria and other organisms, but is chemically frozen into the sea floor. Methane is powerful greenhouse gas, and contributes to the general effect of global warming. The emissions peaked 16,000-14,000 years ago, and then again 11,000-10,000 years ago, and could happen again if ocean temperatures rise above some unknown level.
This is the kind of thing James Lovelock's talking about when he alerts us to the extremely inconvenient fact that Earth is on the verge of a morbid fever that will decimate humanity.
1 comment:
Mr. Bear:
Brain farts? I respectfully disagree. You apparently do not regard the Bush administration in the proper light.
One of the greatest sources of methane pollution today are cows. And bulls. The Bush White House is indeed bullish, to a "t".
Best,
Anagram Ray
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