Recent increase in atmospheric methane level

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Torstai 15.12.2016 klo 12.49 - Mikko Nikinmaa


In the past couple of years the atmospheric methane concentration has increased drastically. It is very alarming, since methane is about twenty times more effective greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. If the level continues to increase, then the good intentions of the Paris climate agreement are brought to naught.

While the reason for the methane increase has not been pinpointed, agricultural practices have been suggested as a possible reason. Livestock production and rice cultivation produce a lot of methane. However, in my opinion, this cannot be the cause. The agricultural practices or production have not been changing so radically during recent years that a marked increase in methane production would be the result. Another reason for methane release is the use of fossil fuels, which has not increased drastically during the past couple of years. This leaves the more worrysome cause as possible. Arctic and subarctic marshes/mires are a major source of world's methane. In fact, it is supposed that the amounts of methane under the arctic permafrost exceed all other sources. Now, if the recent temperature increase has been adequate for enabling some of the permafrost to melt, the release of methane can suddenly increase. This could explain the rapid drastic increase in methane level.

The problem is that there is very little we can do, if this horror scenery is what has happened. The increase in methane concentration will cause temperature increase, cause the melting of permafrost, and further methane release - a vicious circle is generated. I hope I am wrong.

Avainsanat: climate change, methane


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