Melting permafrost intensifies greenhouse gases. - 23 Feb 2011  
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Melting permafrost intensifies greenhouse gases.
Scientists at the University of Colorado at Boulder's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences have for the first time quantified the amount of carbon that could be released into the atmosphere as the Arctic permafrost melts.

Using computer modeling, the scientists showed that within about a decade, carbon dioxide and methane from the thawing plant material that has been frozen in soil since the last glacial period that ended about 12,000 years ago, will turn the entire Arctic tundra region into a global source of carbon, instead of remaining a carbon sink.

Within a century, the Arctic meltdown could release about 95 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to half the total fossil fuel emissions since the beginning of the Industrial Age. Lead author, Dr. Kevin Schaefer noted that even the most conservative estimates from this projection would make a significant difference to the Earth's climate.

He stated, “If we want to hit a target carbon dioxide concentration, then we have to reduce fossil fuel emissions… much lower than previously thought to account for this additional carbon from the permafrost. Otherwise we will end up with a warmer Earth than we want.”

Our sincere thanks, Dr. Schaefer and University of Colorado colleagues for these revealing insights into the precarious situation of the Arctic permafrost. Let us join together in rapid measures to protect the planet and secure the survival of all co-inhabitants on Earth.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has often highlighted the need for humanity to safeguard the ecosphere from potential sources of runaway global warming, as in this interview published in the September 2009 edition of The House Magazine.

Supreme Master Ching Hai : According to Dr. Hansen, our planet is on a dangerous course to passing irreversible tipping points with disastrous consequences. These you know already,

like the melting of permafrost which in turn releases toxic methane gas, resulting in more warming of the atmosphere.

The reason scientists are now turning their attention to methane is that research has shown this gas has a heating capacity 100 times greater than CO2 within the first 5 years.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization states that livestock is the single largest human-caused source of methane and accounts for 37% of total greenhouse gases.

Thus, if meat eating were to be halted, methane production from livestock would be minimized, and then, consequently all the methane from the permafrost will also be stopped, then we will still have time to handle the CO2. It's very logical, scientifically speaking and otherwise. So, being veg means saving our planet.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/sci_tech/melting-permafrost-to-emit-carbon-equal-to-half-all-industrial-emissions-study-116341429.html,
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/02/16/Thawing-permafrost-will-release-carbon/UPI-50631297893151/#ixzz1EGaejNw9

Extra News
As the 2011 European Green Capital, the city of Hamburg, Germany offers a role model in eco-living as it continues to expand industrially while reducing carbon emissions and is successfully maintaining natural waterways and green space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/18/hamburg.green.capital/index.html?hpt=C2

Sri Lankan scientist and sustainable development expert Dr. Mohan Munasinghe, a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize as Vice Chair of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, calls for the adoption of new Millennium Consumption Goals to reduce unsustainable habits that are damaging the environment.
http://blogs.worldwatch.org/transformingcultures/mcgs/, http://ipsnews.net/newsTVE.asp?idnews=54211 http://www.mohanmunasinghe.com/pdf/Island-MCG-1Feb2011.pdf