Methane Levels Up
Arctic permafrost is melting, causing methane to leak at an alarming rate. According to experts, emissions have risen by almost a third in five years and sharp temperature rises are likely to blame. Methane is a gas that is about nine times stronger than carbon dioxide in its heat trapping capacities. For this reason, the release of it by means of melting permafrost might very well be a climate change tipping point. 
It is a pretty vicious cycle. Released methane traps heat, which makes the world (and the micro-climate) hotter. Then more permafrost melts. Then more methane is released, which makes the world hotter…and so on and so forth.
For full coverage, visit the Guardian’s article, “Arctic Permafrost Leaking Methane at Record Levels, Figures Show.”
One of the lead scientists on the study has been clear to say that the increase in methane noted between 2003 and 2007 is not a long enough time and increase to call it a “trend.” But he says the study should open people’s eyes. ” It shows there is a positive feedback and that higher temperatures bring higher emissions and faster warming.”
