Scientists warn thawing Siberia may trigger global meltdown
{{date|August 11, 2005}}

Russian researchers warn that Western [[w:Siberia|Siberia]] has begun to thaw as a result of [[w:Global warming|global warming]]. The frozen [[w:Peat bogs|peat bogs]] in this region may hold billions of tons of [[w:Methane|methane gas]], which may be released into the atmosphere. Methane is a [[w:Greenhouse gas|greenhouse gas]] 22 times more powerful than [[w:carbon dioxide|carbon dioxide]].

Sergei Kirpotin, of [[w:Tomsk State University|Tomsk State University]] warned ''[[w:New Scientist|New Scientist]]'' that the event is an "ecological landslide that is probably irreversible and is undoubtedly connected to climatic warming".

David Viner, of the [[w:University of East Anglia|University of East Anglia]] told ''[[w:The Guardian|The Guardian]]'': "When you start messing around with these natural systems, you can end up in situations where it's unstoppable". He also warns that this event was not considered by the [[w:Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change|Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]].

In May, scientists from the [[w:University of Alaska System|University of Alaska]] found methane "hotspots" in eastern Siberia where the gas bubbles out from thawing permafrost bogs at a rate that prevents the surface from freezing.

The permafrost has been intact for 11,000 years and started melting 3 to 4 years ago, according to Kirpotin.

{{wikipediapar|effects of global warming}}

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,12374,1546824,00.html
|title=Warming hits 'tipping point' 
|author=Ian Sample
|pub=The Guardian
|date=Aug 11 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4141348.stm
|title=Siberia's rapid thaw causes alarm
|author=
|pub=BBC News
|date=Aug 11 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/permafrost_melt_heightens_11082005.html
|title=Permafrost Melt Heightens Climate Change Fears 
|author=
|pub=Friends of the Earth 
|date=Aug 11 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.itn.co.uk/news/355263.html
|title=Thawing peat bog could speed global warming 
|author=
|pub=ITN
|date= August 11, 2005 }}

*{{source|url=http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18725124.500.html
|title=Climate warning as Siberia melts
|author=Fred Pearce
|pub=New Scientist
|date= August 11, 2005 }}

{{Publish}}{{PD-Article}}
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[[Category:Environment]]
[[Category:Russia]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Siberia]]
[[Category:Tomsk]]
[[Category:Climate change]]
[[Category:Europe]]
[[Category:University of East Anglia]]
Russian researchers warn that Western Siberia has begun to thaw as a result of global warming. The frozen peat bogs in this region may hold billions of tons of methane gas, which may be released into the atmosphere. Methane is a greenhouse gas 22 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

Sergei Kirpotin, of Tomsk State University warned New Scientist that the event is an "ecological landslide that is probably irreversible and is undoubtedly connected to climatic warming".

David Viner, of the University of East Anglia told The Guardian: "When you start messing around with these natural systems, you can end up in situations where it's unstoppable". He also warns that this event was not considered by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

In May, scientists from the University of Alaska found methane "hotspots" in eastern Siberia where the gas bubbles out from thawing permafrost bogs at a rate that prevents the surface from freezing.

The permafrost has been intact for 11,000 years and started melting 3 to 4 years ago, according to Kirpotin.

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Environment Russia Asia Siberia Tomsk Climate change Europe University of East Anglia