tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post116627132563751435..comments2023-08-08T10:25:47.529+01:00Comments on McCabism: Methane and environmentalismGordon McCabehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09151162643523937086noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-1167783800859860112007-01-03T00:23:00.000+00:002007-01-03T00:23:00.000+00:00The world is focused upon cutting CO2 emission bec...The world is focused upon cutting CO2 emission because it’s the least humans can do. Although we cannot retain consumerism or the throw away society as well, so its doubtful that humans will. <BR/>It is true that CO2 drops out of the atmosphere after being absorbed by life on the surface, and equally true that the same volumes are released on the surface in an uninterrupted flow cycle, in a self sustaining positive feed back loop. The additional co2, or ‘accelerated global warming gases, is added to the atmospheric load by the burning of fossil fuels. <BR/>Methane is created by bacteria in decomposing forest litter, in a hydro electric dam or from the city sewer and through chemical process the methane is removed in a few decades once in the atmosphere. However methane traps 21 times more heat while in circulation before it is transformed into a greater volume of co2 in atmospheric processes where the co2 created by processed methane continues to insulate the planet.<BR/>This system would work if the planet was ¾ forests instead of ocean.<BR/>Global warming has accelerated in the last decade, so much so that we can no longer argue about the cause. Now we can observe that the Gulf Stream has slowed by 30% and CO2 absorbing plankton numbers are threatened, while at the same time we have been made aware that rainforests are dieing in droughts while forests are burning in wildfires around the world as temperatures climb to record highs.<BR/>Now we should decide what happens next.<BR/>Global warming is melting both poles and the Tundra; permafrost is turning to marsh which is venting large quantities of methane as I write. Pipelines carrying gas across Siberia are buckling and in Alaska pipelines spewing oil have already fractured. In the ocean Methane hydrates are beginning to defrost and erupt to the surface off the coast of the USA and in the Timor Sea.<BR/>We can ignore the methane threat and pretend its just an environmentalist plot to wrestle power away from the G8, or we can see it for what it is. <BR/>Turbo charged global warming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-1166527003250210122006-12-19T11:16:00.000+00:002006-12-19T11:16:00.000+00:00Cheers James, a quality contribution.Cheers James, a quality contribution.Gordon McCabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09151162643523937086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37936507.post-1166491496865627992006-12-19T01:24:00.000+00:002006-12-19T01:24:00.000+00:00That some in the environmentalist movement dislike...That some in the environmentalist movement dislike much of modern society is certainly true. However, this does not mean that all or most of those actively involved in environmental issues share the same thoughts or goals. Frequently, it is the most extreme elements of any position that get the most press. I believe it would be appropriate to better define who you mean by the term 'environmentalist' before moving on to make generalizations about their motives.<BR/><BR/>It is also true that global warming is often simplified to just a campaign against CO2 emissions, when it is more complex than that, involving other gases such as methane and nitrous oxide, feedback mechanisms and natural climate cycles. Many are guilty of this, from the media to politicians to those who embrace or attack climate change concerns. However, given how long it has taken the general public to begin to understand the climate change issue in any form, it is not surprising that those involved in discussing the matter have learned (or been driven) to simply it as much as possible.<BR/><BR/>When one looks further into the subject, you encounter stories such as the one you have presented - that living organic matter releases methane. Also, however, one finds in the same story that the full impact of this is clearly not yet understood. Also, it is worth noting that methane is removed from the atmosphere via chemical processes within twenty years, whereas CO2 remains for a far longer time period. (The main CO2 removal mechanism is via living plants.) In addition, as stated in one of the referenced articles, methane levels have stayed nearly flat for the last few years - perhaps due in part to sealing leaks in gas pipelines, capturing and using methane from landfill sites and farm effluent, and changing farming practices to reduce emissions from rice paddies. The same report also has scientists stating that CO2 is still the "800 pound gorilla" of climate change. <BR/><BR/>You also note that energy efficiency should be discussed more. I couldn't agree more. The first, second and third priorities of any energy policy for any country should be conservation (increased efficiency). However, it's also true though that the Western world we use a truly HUGE amount of energy, and more than better efficiency is needed in the long run. But in the short run - yes, increasing efficiency should be at the top of the list.<BR/><BR/>James Aach<BR/>20+ years in the US nuclear industry<BR/>Author of "Rad Decision: A Novel of Nuclear Power" <A HREF="http://raddecision.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">RadDecision.blogspot.com</A>James Aachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08762006792617588325noreply@blogger.com