Every once in a while, it’s good to remind myself of the data – to help me focus once again on why I do what I do.
Yesterday evening, I decided to catch up on exactly how out of control atmospheric methane concentrations are in the region around the Arctic :- When reviewing the charts, the secondmost important thing to see is the high point measurements, the peaks, rising over time. | |
The most vital thing to observe, however, is the inexorable rise of the minimum measurements since around 2007 – which implies a higher overall background atmospheric methane concentration.
Much of this methane explosion can probably be blamed on global warming from excessive carbon dioxide emissions – which showed signs of coming under control between 1990 and 2000, but after that lifted off once more. People dispute why carbon dioxide emissions have risen consistently and sharply since the turn of the millenium – but one of the answers is to be found in the rapid deployment of coal-burning for power generation. Stronger environmental controls on air quality have reduced the health impacts of coal-burning, but mean that the net effect is stronger global warming. So much could be done to alleviate the strong warming of the Arctic, and prevent dangerous instabilities. It is time to say it – and keep on saying it – and not relent – every measure to keep the Arctic cool is urgent. |
Categories
Big Number Big Picture China Syndrome Climate Change Climate Chaos Climate Damages Coal Hell Contraction & Convergence Cool Poverty Demoticratica Direction of Travel Disturbing Trends Emissions Impossible Fossilised Fuels Global Heating Global Warming Health Impacts Incalculable Disaster Meltdown Methane Madness Methane Management Nudge & Budge Paradigm Shapeshifter Peak Coal Peak Emissions Policy Warfare Political Nightmare Protest & Survive Realistic Models Science Rules Screaming Panic The Data Zero Net