Global warming could release tons of methane locked in permafrost that will accelerate climate change

Vast amounts of methane are locked in permafrost layers of Siberia, Northern Europe and North America. Global warming could trigger thawing that could release billions of tons into the atmosphere resulting in Arctic feedbacks that intensify warming with the potential for accelerating climate change effects. Total global methane emissions, natural and human-induced are at 500-600 million metric tons per year.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states:

“The balance of evidence suggests that Arctic feedbacks that amplify warming, globally and regionally, will dominate during the next 50 to 100 years. As warming continues, these feedbacks will likely intensify. We may be approaching thresholds that are difficult to predict precisely, but crossing such thresholds could have serious global consequences.”

Source: Melting of permafrost could trigger rapid global warming warns UN – Mongabay.com

Date: 21 February 2008