26 September 2008

Methane release from permafrost BAD.... Also, viruses.

I know I've said it before.... But we are SO SCREWED.

Now we have methane being released from beneath melting permafrost in the arctic regions. Fuck. Positive feedback loop is right. Apparently methane is 20x more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, and even though it only lasts in our atmosphere for 12 years (short), its release will just increase our temp more rapidly, leading to more methane release, etc. From the article: "Scientists believe that similar releases of methane in the past, so called "methane burps", have caused rapid and severe increases in global temperatures, dramatic climate change and mass extinctions." SHIT.

Sigh. Did I mention that we are going to have to relocate all the coastal cities. The entire state of Florida is only a few dozen feet above sea level. Just imagine the SHIT SHOW that would result from New York flooding. They already have pumps going on there around the clock to keep the subways clear. Does everyone realize the problem here?



My friend Amy reminds me that there will probably be some sort of plague-like disease spreading in the near-ish future anyway, what with all the increasing population density and whatnot. Bird flu ain't gone, people, and viruses are bitches. Undead. That's what I call them. You remember that next time you have a cold. There are viruses MUTATING inside you. And they're not even alive.

In fact... I might even say the existence of viruses is a strong argument against intellectual design and creationism. How do you like that?

1 comment:

Jenny said...

Which is why we need to elect Obama if we're gonna have half a chance to clean up the earth. Evolve or die, people!