Friday, August 21, 2009

Scientists say they have evidence that the powerful greenhouse gas methane is escaping from the Arctic sea-bed

Other than CO2, another gas that concerns the global warming alarmists is methane, which also occurs naturally. From the BBC via memeorandumMethane seeps from Arctic sea-bed.  

Scientists say they have evidence that the powerful greenhouse gas methane is escaping from the Arctic sea-bed.

Researchers say this could be evidence of a predicted positive feedback effect of climate change.

As temperatures rise, the sea-bed grows warmer and frozen water crystals in the sediment break down, allowing methane trapped inside them to escape.

The research team found that more than 250 plumes of methane bubbles are rising from the sea-bed off Norway.

The joint British and German research team detected the bubbles using a type of sonar normally used to search for shoals of fish. Once detected, the bubbles were sampled and tested for methane at a range of depths.

Graham Westbrook, lead author and professor of geophysics at the University of Birmingham, said: "If this process becomes widespread along Arctic continental margins, tens of megatonnes of methane a year - equivalent to 5-10% of the total amount released globally by natural sources, could be released into the ocean."

This is in essence another source of naturally occurring greenhouse gas. This been happening for all of Earth's history. Curious minds want to know more about the true source of greenhouse gases, and the relationship and proportion between those naturally released and those produced by man's activities. Liberal journalists seem to be less curious, and seem more apt to blame man without true proof: a leap of unscientific proportions.

And this is the kicker in the article: "If this process becomes widespread along Arctic continental margins" -- What the heck does that mean? Are they somehow trying to blame mankind for this totally natural process? Again, these scientists, and worse yet, the journalists at the BBC, are jumping to conclusions that are not supported by the evidence, in an apparent attempt to frighten mankind to stop all industrial activity.  Go home journalists: it won't work. We see through your ruse.

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