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/#ixzz1EGaejNw9Extra NewsAs 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
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