Arctic Permafrost Melts at Extreme Speed
Methane Leaking Through the Cracks
Scientistshave confirmed that the release of immense amounts of methane due to thawingArctic permafrost could very negatively impact the global economy. The releasescould cost an estimated $60 trillion and the worst of these impacts will befelt in developing countries.
Methane isbeing released in large quantities due to a diminishing ice cover in the EastSiberian Sea, which is allowing for waters to warm, hence the release. Methane is one of the strongestgreenhouse gases (GHG). Theseemissions will increase flooding, the rise of sea levels, and damage to bothagriculture and human health.
“According to Lloyds of London,investment in the Arctic could reach $100bn within ten years,” (BBC News).
Nevertheless,the costs outweigh the benefits and a release of methane this huge could speedup the increase of global temperatures by 2C by 12-35 years.
Methane isincreasing in the atmosphere; the increase is most prominent over the Arctic.Developing countries may feel this impact most, but it is something that willaffect the entire world.
Theeconomy, global temperatures, agriculture, sea levels, human health.
Can weprevent this burst from happening?
Story thanks to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news
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