Norwegian researchers have discovered that ancient diseases aren’t the only ones lurking beneath permafrost, raising concerns that Earth’s overheating could be accelerated if powerful heat-trapping gases were released.
What happened?
As ScienceAlert details, “significant amounts” of methane gas have been found in half of the exploratory wells drilled by dirty energy companies in Svalbard, the archipelago that hosts the world’s northernmost town.
Thomas Birchall, the study’s lead author, told ScienceAlert: “Drillers heard bubbling sounds coming from the well, so we decided to take a look, equipped with basic sirens designed to detect methane explosion levels, and when we placed the sirens above the wellbore, the sirens immediately triggered.”
The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers.
Why is this concerning?
While scientists are not sure exactly how much methane is leaking from permafrost, they believe that if the gas escapes the protective ice barrier, it could severely hamper efforts to limit global temperature rise to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit above pre-industrial levels, ScienceAlert reported.
Currently, carbon dioxide is the most abundant heat-trapping gas and accounts for 65% of global warming pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Although methane is much less concentrated at 16 percent, a U.S. Geological Survey study found that the gas is 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide and “contributes about 25 percent to temperature increases.”
Rising global temperatures have been linked to food supply shortages, the spread of disease and extreme weather events, and are causing permafrost to weaken.
what can be done Protect permafrost?
While the use of dirty energy sources like natural gas, oil and coal is a major contributor to soaring modern temperatures, powering your home with solar energy is a clean energy investment that will pay dividends for the planet and your wallet.
While community solar programs can help alleviate the upfront cost and hassle of installing panels, if such a transition isn’t immediately possible, there are some simple ways to help.
For example, switching to LED light bulbs can reduce carbon air pollution by approximately 5,000 pounds over 10 years.
Get TCD’s free newsletter for simple tips to save more, reduce waste and make smarter choices, and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD’s exclusive Rewards Club.
