The Arctic Is Leaking Methane 303
registerShift and other readers sent in news that the Arctic Ocean seabed is leaking methane. "...climate experts familiar with the new research reported in Friday's issue of the journal Science that even though it does not suggest imminent climate catastrophe, it is important because of methane's role as a greenhouse gas. Although carbon dioxide is far more abundant and persistent in the atmosphere, ton for ton atmospheric methane traps at least 25 times as much heat. ... [One scientist] estimated that annual methane emissions from the East Siberian Arctic Shelf total about seven teragrams. (A teragram is 1.1 million tons.) By some estimates, global methane emissions total about 500 teragrams a year. ...about 40 percent is natural, including the decomposition of organic materials in wetlands and frozen wetlands like permafrost."
That explains the smell... (Score:1, Funny)
For those of us wondering... (Score:1, Funny)
"A teragram is 1.1 million tons."
This is US (short) tons. Of course it is simply 1 million (metric, real) tons.
Let the unit war begin! Soon we will have passenger jets and mars probes crashing left and right.
Re:That explains the smell... (Score:0, Funny)
It wasn't the Russians after all.
Nope. It's the 'ole blame the cat or dog routine - only using an entire global area.
You see, when you really have to let one go, you wait for the dog or cat to walk in and everyone assumes it's the animal. Worked for me last night. Yogurt, fresh greens, chili, and being 45 years old (stinky old man farts) and Pee U! My wife looks down at the cat and asks "Did you change her diet again. Geeze she stinks!"
It's very important to have pets when you're old and gassy - it prevents much embarrassment. I may have to sell that idea to PETA. Have some naked hot chick with a clothes pin on her nose, an old guy, and an animal with a caption:
"Save a cute furry animal and save your pride!"
Chuck (Score:4, Funny)
Man, it's just a shame global warming isn't real. Then this story may actually have some relevance.
This will NOT stand!! (Score:5, Funny)
Let me get this straight (Score:5, Funny)
The ice cap is farting?
Re:Fuel? (Score:5, Funny)
US tons are lighter than the rest of the world (Score:5, Funny)
It's from the under ocean citys (Score:3, Funny)
It's from the under ocean citys
Re:US tons are lighter than the rest of the world (Score:0, Funny)
You can take your big fat british tonnes and shove them. USA USA USA!
Who farted??? (Score:1, Funny)
Mother Earth!!! *shocked look* *holds nose in disgust*
Factoid: My captcha is "intimacy" - not something normally associated with passing gas.
Re:Let It Burn! (Score:4, Funny)
Forgot to mention that nuking the arctic is the only solution to this most trying problem.
Right. Do it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons (Score:2, Funny)
You might say the journalism was hella lame.
Re:Let me get this straight (Score:5, Funny)
Not only that, it is doing it in our general direction!
Re:Let It Burn! (Score:4, Funny)
Clearly the arctic is in on conspiracy to try to make it seem like the earth is warming.
It's well-known that the Earth itself has a liberal bias.
Re:Let me get this straight (Score:4, Funny)
Re:US tons are lighter than the rest of the world (Score:5, Funny)
Or in more US friendly units, it's 22 your mommas.
Re:It's from the under ocean citys (Score:4, Funny)
Poseidon? Cthulhu need so lay off his Poseidon Masala! ^^
Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons (Score:5, Funny)
Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons (Score:2, Funny)
I would certainly rather have a tone of British ail then a ton of American light beer
You like to listen to suffering Brits, and afterwards get drunk with American beer? Pervert! :-)
Re:US tons are lighter than the rest of the world (Score:3, Funny)
Ask yo momma, she's seen my furlong.
Re:1 teragram is not 1.1million tons (Score:1, Funny)
Well... it's standard in the significant part of America.
Re:Fuel? (Score:3, Funny)
Feed them Bubblegum?