Boston (MA) - Scientists at MIT have recorded a nearly simultaneous world-wide increase in methane levels. This is the first increase in ten years, and what baffles science is that this data contradicts theories stating man is the primary source of increase for this greenhouse gas. It takes about one full year for gases generated in the highly industrial northern hemisphere to cycle through and reach the southern hemisphere. However, since all worldwide levels rose simultaneously throughout the same year, it is now believed this may be part of a natural cycle in mother nature - and not the direct result of man's contributions.


Methane - powerful greenhouse gas

The two lead authors of a paper published in this week's Geophysical Review Letters, Matthew Rigby and Ronald Prinn, the TEPCO Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, state that as a result of the increase, several million tons of new methane is present in the atmosphere.

Methane accounts for roughly one-fifth of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, though its effect is 25x greater than that of carbon dioxide. Its impact on global warming comes from the reflection of the sun's light back to the Earth (like a greenhouse). Methane is typically broken down in the atmosphere by the free radical hydroxyl (OH), a naturally occuring process. This atmospheric cleanser has been shown to adjust itself up and down periodically, and is believed to account for the lack of increases in methane levels in Earth's atmosphere over the past ten years despite notable simultaneous increases by man.


More study

Prinn has said, "The next step will be to study [these changes] using a very high-resolution atmospheric circulation model and additional measurements from other networks. The key thing is to better determine the relative roles of increased methane emission versus [an increase] in the rate of removal. Apparently we have a mix of the two, but we want to know how much of each [is responsible for the overall increase]."

The primary concern now is that 2007 is long over. While the collected data from that time period reflects a simultaneous world-wide increase in emissions, observing atmospheric trends now is like observing the healthy horse running through the paddock a year after it overcame some mystery illness. Where does one even begin? And how relevant are any of the data findings at this late date? Looking back over 2007 data as it was captured may prove as ineffective if the data does not support the high resolution details such a study requires.

One thing does seem very clear, however; science is only beginning to get a handle on the big picture of global warming. Findings like these tell us it's too early to know for sure if man's impact is affecting things at the political cry of "alarming rates." We may simply be going through another natural cycle of warmer and colder times - one that's been observed through a scientific analysis of the Earth to be naturally occurring for hundreds of thousands of years.


Project funding

Rigby and Prinn carried out this study with help from researchers at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Bristol and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Methane gas measurements came from the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE), which is supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Australian CSIRO network.


UPDATE:  October 31, 2008, 05:52am:
Several comments suggest a massive 2007 Siberian permafrost melt accounts for the observed increases in atmospheric methane. If Siberia were responsible for the increases, that would still be a northern hemisphere event and would require normal atmospheric cycling of about a year to reach southern hemisphere monitoring stations. These increases were nearly simultaneous and world-wide.

Man-Caused Global Warming is a MYTH!!!

Oct 30, 2008 10:02     

Seems the ProPAGANda Pundits like Al Gore have been lying to us, Global Warming is not caused by man, it is caused by the Sun, a sun which has had no sunspots practically for 2 years now, no wonder we are cooling off. Read and learn the truth from this website: http://www.iceagenow.com/
Jack report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +74

Vote For McCain, Obama Wants a Carbon Tax

Oct 30, 2008 10:08     

If you vote for Obama get ready to pay more in taxes, he is not even able to become president since he was not a Natural Born Citizen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA6_k3NtXZs
rob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -29

Free Tibet!

Oct 30, 2008 10:12     

Free Tibet!
Dave report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -16

Free Bill Gates!

Oct 30, 2008 10:49     

Free Bill Gates!
Da Man report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +12

Al Gore will get you all

Oct 30, 2008 10:56     

I hope everyone at TG Daily has a good bodyguard, because Al Gore is coming to get each and every one of you for putting this on your website.
Neal report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +25

Oh Em Gee!

Oct 30, 2008 11:01     

You mean *gasp* we don't know everything about the environment? Seriously... we can hardly get an accurate weather report 3 days out, I dunno why anyone believes that we know the cause of Gorebal Warming... The Earth is an infinitely complex system. Chances are we will NEVER fully understand all of it's systems. We haven't even nailed the stock market down, which is man-made and less complex (it's still really, really, really complex)

sumgi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +31

Most methane is from natural sources...

Oct 30, 2008 11:12     

...but the excesses are largely attributed to human activity. Livestock is one primary source, a result of specific types of human development. Also another primary source is a result of anthropogenic climate change, eg, CO2 in the atmosphere resulting in warming the frozen wastes, permafrost and oceans. Hydrates have been recently been filmed releasing methane from deep sea beds. Coal mining is another source. Unfortunately the author of this article has made a political assessment and statement of the scientists words. eg. has forced a meaning on them based on an assumption that they don't believe in anthropogenic climate change. The scientists however haven't actually implied any doubt about the cause of global warming or climate change.

Waaaa? report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -49

Those Dang Farting Cows

Oct 30, 2008 11:28     

I work on a dairy and all my cows farted simultaneously last night. If this happened all over the globe then you have the source of methane. I don't know how seriously we can take scientists when it comes to big things like the earth. It seems like they're "baffled" more often than they're right.
royal_k report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +23

Stop Global Warming! Plug A Volcano!

Oct 30, 2008 12:12     

We told you so. One volcano puts out more green house gases than all of the factories and cars combined over an extended period.
Dr. J report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +28

hah!

Oct 30, 2008 12:20     

I know I do my fair share of farting. (I eat a lot of Mexican food). Sorry for adding to the global warming.
Stew Pidd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -4

feedback loop

Oct 30, 2008 12:29     

Warming attributable to human inputs has modified the climate sufficiently to cause natural sources of methane to increase their output. It's a feedback loop and is one of the consequences of climate change that has been predicted.
John Bickelhaupt report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -29

Those Dang Farting Cows...

Oct 30, 2008 13:03     

Royal_k said: "I work on a dairy and all my cows farted simultaneously last night." Waaaa? says: Then you would know that for cattle the main source of methane is via 'belching'. Over the last 200 years both methane and meat consumption have increased, there is a level of correlation between the two.
Waaaa? report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

We are in big trouble now

Oct 30, 2008 13:29     

It only takes a little average rise in temperature to allow natural bacteria to be much more active. What this tells me is that we have reached a point where we have a positive feedback loop starting. As it gets warmer the bacteria will produce more methane and warm the earth even more. This is the worse news ever...
SC report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -54

GO BC! Beat Clemson!

Oct 30, 2008 13:30     

GO BC! Beat Clemson
Thorpe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -6

it's climate CHANGE, dodo's, not global warming.

Oct 30, 2008 13:52     

Climate CHANGE. It's all about climate CHANGE. This is just further proof. Drastic governmental action will be required to protect the planet if other scientists begin to concur. It will cost trillions and trillions, and we will have to revert to living like aborigines (except for our leaders of course) but we MUST protect the planet.
notafool report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -10

The Green Impact On The Economy

Oct 30, 2008 13:54     

This is a heck of an admission considering the billions that have been spent on green initiatives around the word. And the millions that have gone into Gore's coffers. How much more evidence do we need before we ask Al Gore to return the Nobel Peace Prize? And who do we bill for all the money wasted on green initiatives at a time when people could use a bit more money in their wallets? For God's sake, vote McCain; He sucks less!

Dave report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +8

Grants drying up?

Oct 30, 2008 13:58     

MIT comes around. Sounds like they expect grants to dry up under Obama. Might as well start telling the truth if lies provide no money.
Jim report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +9

Undersea Methane Ice Melts?

Oct 30, 2008 13:58     

IIRC, there is a hell of a lot of methane ice at the bottom of the ocean, and if it melts and bubbles to the surface it is capable of: 1. in the event of a sudden release, sinking any ship at the surface by suddenly depriving the ship of buoyancy; and 2. Magnifying the positive feedback loop of global warming by warming the atmosphere and oceans and causing the release of more methane ice. The fact that the 2007 jump hasn't caused a runaway problem may tend to disprove #2, or it may just show we got incredibly lucky ... but science should make every effort to come up with a credible answer ASAP.

Mark Hankins report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Inconvenient truth...is out there

Oct 30, 2008 14:02     

Thank God for REAL scientists. Save the nerd, save the world! How's that for some inconvenient truth.
junkCafe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +8

Waaa Waaa, all those belching farting beef and dair...

Oct 30, 2008 14:05     

Waaa Waaa, all those belching farting beef and dairy cattle are all mans fault. Seems that a couple hundred years ago, the plains of the US were covered as far as the eye could see with grazing, belching farting bison. hugely more in numbers than our current cattle stocks. but I suppose since they are "natural" cows, their methane is harmless
SJM report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

"Climate change"

Oct 30, 2008 14:05     

The climate has been changing drastically for thousands of years -- well before man had any impact whatsoever.
John report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +9

METHANE is from OBAMA speaking out of his ASS!

Oct 30, 2008 14:05     

Cause and effect
Greg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Scientists discover global warming is caused by... the Sun.

Oct 30, 2008 14:09     

Scientists today discovered the main cause of global warming is the Sun.
KW-37 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +13

MIT or Biden - You choose

Oct 30, 2008 14:09     

This can't be true according to Joe Biden: Sen. Biden: "Well, I think it is manmade. I think it’s clearly manmade. And, look, this probably explains the biggest fundamental difference between John McCain and Barack Obama and Sarah Palin and Joe Biden — Gov. Palin and Joe Biden. If you don’t understand what the cause is, it’s virtually impossible to come up with a solution. We know what the cause is. The cause is manmade. That’s the cause. That’s why the polar icecap is melting."

LS report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +8

when will man acknowledge that we are insignificant...

Oct 30, 2008 14:09     

when will man acknowledge that we are insignificant to this planet. you idiots that believe in this nonsense will also believe your elected officials will save you. for those of you that have trouble realizing just how big the earth is and how small man is, consider this. there are more ants in the world (pound for pound) than human beings. has anyone every thought that maybe the ants are causing global warming.

virg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +8

Berg to file for an Injunction to Stay Presidential Election!!

Oct 30, 2008 14:12     

http://www.obamacrimes.com/
Jack report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Algore produces greenhouse gases.

Oct 30, 2008 14:15     

Tipper told me.
Ned Schnittt report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Cows burb more methane than fart . . .

Oct 30, 2008 14:16     

Look it up, but belching is responsible for most of a cow's methane emissions, not farting. Just thought I'd clarify. Oh, and man-made global warming is a political farce. The computer world isn't reality and there are many reasons to believe that the sun is the driver of climate change, not GHGs of any stripe.
Alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Palin was right about global warming MIT says so.

Oct 30, 2008 14:17     

Go figure. Gov Palin is closer to the truth than Al gore so says MIT.
unseen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Breaking News

Oct 30, 2008 14:20     

Has any told Al Gore that he needs a new gig yet ?
Mark report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

We call it climate change now because we have absolutely no clue

Oct 30, 2008 14:21     

what we're looking for. As long as man made it and we can get the USA to cough up billions to some wacko group to fix this 'problem.'
Ned Schnittt report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

This is real climate change

Oct 30, 2008 14:21     

Berg, a Democrat, has filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court today, because Barak Hussein Obama has not obeyed a lower court's order to present his alledged Hawaii Birth Certificate to the courts for proof of American Citizenship. http://www.obamacrimes.com/
Mac report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -5

Removing TGDaily from bookmarks

Oct 30, 2008 14:23     

It seems that TGDaily has gone the way of Michael Asher's inflammatory and incorrect blog at DailyTech. As a scientist, I cannot support an organization which ignores scientific results and consensus in favor of a personal (and uninformed) agenda. It is without hesitation, then, that I remove TGDaily and TomsHardware from my bookmarks list. Your job is to discuss scientific results in context, not to pontificate on physical processes about which you have no understanding. I'm sure that the authors of the paper would be frustrated with your unfathomably poor analysis of the implications of the results.

A. Physicist report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -24

Warming since 1979 all gone!

Oct 30, 2008 14:23     

For the worrywarts: the "global warming" we've had stopped ten years ago. Global temp has dropped over the past 7. Drastic cooling has occured over the past 1.5 years. Thus, the "global average temp" today from satellite measurements is no higher than 1979 measurements. Hence, all of the record cold Octobers in so many places and record cold Southern Hemisphere winter that just ended. So, please tell me Mr. Algore how it is that "global warming" is accelerating? How is it, all of you alarmist believers, that we're in a "positive feedback loop" for methane?

Alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +7

The Debate is Over!

Oct 30, 2008 14:26     

I'm sure Al Gore will be running out to the papers to retract his "the debate is over" comment.
Ken report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

More Lies From Bush and his Oil Buddies.

Oct 30, 2008 14:27     

Obviously MIT scientists are just paid tools of Big Oil and Haliburton, not *real* scientists like Al Gore, Prince Charles and Leonardo diCaprio. And besides, these guys are outside their area of expertise -- what does "Atmospheric Chemistry" have to do with "Climate" anyway? I say strip them of their jobs and ship them off for reeducation. Friggin' heretics.
Paul in TX report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Loons lie.

Oct 30, 2008 14:30     

Don't let facts get in the way of profit and power. Charlatans and AGW alarmists will spin this tidbit into nothing in no time flat. Never mind that not one person has delivered peer reviewed empirical evidence to support man made global warming.
cyberdog report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

These so called expert weather scientist need to on...

Oct 30, 2008 14:31     

These so called expert weather scientist need to only stick their finger out the front door to realize global warming it aint. But out of pride and their oversized egos, they will wait until their gonads freeze and break off before they will admit they 'could' wrong. Too bad for Algore. This ruins his plans to sucker people out of a chunk of money with his carbon credit schemes.
Eyeball report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Divide by zero error.

Oct 30, 2008 14:32     

Divide by zero error.
Electronman report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

GWG NOT MAN MADE!?!?!?!?!

Oct 30, 2008 14:34     

Rigby and Prinn get ready because because because...the global warming er climate change (there is THAT word again)fascists will be out to ruin your careers-How dare you sirs not tow the party line!!! How DARE YOU!!! PS London has earliest snow since 1922 and Switz most October snow since 1939...
Arkady N. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

"Most methane is from natural sources..." SO IS SOLAR RADIATION

Oct 30, 2008 14:35     

"Most methane is from natural sources..." SO IS SOLAR RADIATION
Electronman report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Congrats on Making the Drudge Report

Oct 30, 2008 14:38     

Is this TGDaily's first link from Drudge?
Fredo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Is that man made methane I small sniff... sniff? In...

Oct 30, 2008 14:39     

Is that man made methane I small sniff... sniff? In any event how dense does man made methane have to be, before it is considered a solid. If it leaves skid marks is it a solid? Just something to ponder.
UpYouns report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Is that man made methane I small sniff... sniff? In...

Oct 30, 2008 14:39     

Is that man made methane I small sniff... sniff? In any event how dense does man made methane have to be, before it is considered a solid. If it leaves skid marks is it a solid? Just something to ponder.
UpYouns report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Democrats plan to tax Carbon Dioxide

Oct 30, 2008 14:42     

The first step is to declare Carbon Dioxide a pollutant. Then, the democrats wish to tax it. Because we breath out carbon dioxide, we are all evil. So the next step is for Democrats to tax our breathing. If we cannot pay the tax, we will not be allowed to breath because we all are polluters. Government wants more control and are manufacturing all these crisis to control our movements.
Derek Moore report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Take back that Nobel Prize from crazy Al Gore...

Oct 30, 2008 14:42     

Take back that Nobel Prize from crazy Al Gore
Brooke report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +10

your a dumbass if you believe that we cause this

Oct 30, 2008 14:49     

not a fool is a huge assmunch. the facts just don't support your arguement and finally you dumbass tree huggers will be squashed.
jesus report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -6

Spread the news!

Oct 30, 2008 14:52     

Would someone please provide this article to that moron Prince Charles.
Totally Rufus report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

maybe its just me that look at Greenhouse Gas doesn't really affect us.

Oct 30, 2008 14:56     

Water salinity increases due to HCO3 (water carbon dioxide) is neutralized by the arctic’s ice. Thawing of permafrost release methane gas is balancing out the ratio of carbon dioxide in atmosphere. Earth backup systems. I don't really believe in this Greenhouse things, 50 years of increase of temperature is a VERY small ratio compare to the dramatic climate change backup in history, like the conflict of dinosaurs, volcanoes causes mini-ice age (because there is silicate in them which react with atmosphere causing very acidic rain and blocking out the sun). So far I see animals are still evolving, I think it was 2 or 5 years ago a butterfly just evolved naturally. If CO2 is really causing that much of a problem why not just spread an inhibitor of CO2 or you can make a culture of aero-algae. (They are one of the new sources of biofuels production that uses massive amounts of CO2). Yes it would be hard for you to collect the biofuels since they are in air, but every time when an airplane flies past them billions of them dies, so they are already out of balance, before greenhouse gas is happening. Add that with circus cloud machine (invented recently) which contains ice crystals in them that can reflect sunlight, its multiple people doing the work. We already have the technology to make artificial cell. So…. Oh you probably can't open up a hole in the atmosphere since that will cause some damage to the satellite. On the other hand I once thought of is the Age of Mammals almost ending, because so far it seems like greenhouse gas increase the temperature which create a positive environment for bacteria, that is why we have things like SARS, Tuberculosis and HIV combined mutations, malaria increases.

somebody report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

More evidence anthropogenic warming is a crock, but..

Oct 30, 2008 15:01     

The evidence mounts, contrary to Mr. Gore's averment, that at best AGW is unproven, and most probably is a load of hot air. But if you do want to reduce CO2 emissions, go for the largest man-related CO2 generator, livestock. Put livestock back on the natural grasses they were meant to consume. Using high-carb, high-calorie grains is what gives them the abundant flatulence that outproduces even the CO2 from our automobiles. And doing so will be good for human health as well, as the animals, with their multiple stomachs and such, are not meant to be ingesting such high-powered fare.

Paul B. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Most methane is from natural sources...

Oct 30, 2008 15:01     

Agreed. One only needs to look at the original paper by Rigby and Prinn to see how much "spin" has been added in this article. So much for this author's credibility.
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

MIT? Bah, who are they? Al Gore already has the answers!

Oct 30, 2008 15:03     

Who is MIT? Al Gore already has the answers! These guys are just Bush supporters. The Messiah is coming and it WILL be fixed! Obama 2008
RushBaby report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

ManBearPig

Oct 30, 2008 15:06     

ManBearPig caused the methane increase. Not MAN!!
dlh report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Give the man caused global warming morons (MIT - Mo...

Oct 30, 2008 15:08     

Give the man caused global warming morons (MIT - Morons In Training) a little more time ... they will eventually figure out a way to 'force' the data to match their stupid global warming 'theory'. GORE has them on a roll to tax us all to death. Al and company are not going to give up all that money easily!
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Follow the money

Oct 30, 2008 15:13     

It didn't take the Warmists long to show up here to push their politically-based claim that this, like all environmental change is "due to human activity."
RJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Scientist Farmer

Oct 30, 2008 15:15     

I've noticed that my wife, kids, and cows have had a lot more flatulence this past year. Must be all that genetically modified corn that I'm feeding them... Maybe that's the reason for all the extra methane???
Hubert report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Climate CHANGE, yeah right! Too cold for the anthropogenic GW BS to be believed!

Oct 30, 2008 15:18     

"Climate change" yeah right! The data doesn't match the leftist doomsday forecasts, so they need to adjust the name (typical!) to continue to justify their desire to pick our pocket. The Czech president is right, it is all BS!
Mike In Syracuse report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Might the author be a lunatic?

Oct 30, 2008 15:18     

Here's a link to a 2007 post by Rick Hodgin on the Van's Hardware website (down the page a bit in the center column). http://www.vanshardware.com/ A 9-1-1 conspiracy theorist like Rick wouldn't draw unsupported conclusions from the MIT scientists' findings, would he? Nah, the fact that he believes the US government caused 9-1-1 and that we are under attack by a "secret society" bent on destroying our Republic just gives his opinions about global warming and climate change that much more weight. Who needs scientists with actual training and experience in science when we have a computer geek to explain it to us all. LOL

Bill report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Further Proof That Nothing Needs To Be Done!!!!

Oct 30, 2008 15:21     

Whether you call it "Change" or "Warming", we can't control it. It is natural. The more and more science probes the environment the more they'll figure out that we have little to do with it's cycles.
kjb434 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Re: How did this author get this job?

Oct 30, 2008 15:30     

This article is absolutely horribly written. From the analogy of a horse racing (what?), to the discussion of OH ("we want to know how much methane vs OH is responsible for the overall increase." In what? Methane? You just explained that OH cleans out methane from the atmosphere! Do you mean lack of OH?), to throwing ina discussion about 2007 (where the hell did that comre from?) -- this is atrocious.At he end the author says "One thing does seem very clear." It ain't this article.

Cribble report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Like bubbles from your beer

Oct 30, 2008 15:32     

Al Gore's Oscar winning fictional work is predicated on the theory that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) resulting from the burning of fossil fuel by man acts as a "greenhouse gas" and causes the earths temperature to rise. The truth is that there is some correlation between earth temperatures and CO2 levels in the atmosphere. And the answer is in your beer. What happens when you poor a beer? CO2 comes out, and more comes out as the temperature of the beer warms with the room. The same affect happens with Soda, as well as the Ocean. Anyone who has taken scuba lessons is supposed to know about how gases can dissolve into fluids, and the process is called "Boyle's Law of Partial Pressures". Temperature and pressure affect how much gases will (automatically) enter a solution (dissolve) or leave the solution (float away). The process works for blood to such as with Oxygen (which gives us life) and Nitrogen - which can cause us to suffer "the bends" a/k/a decompression sickness. It is very simple, with any increase in the temperature of the oceans, more CO2 is released from the enormously dense oceans. CO2 levels are a delayed affect of increases in temperature, not the cause. In fact, an honest look at the data shows that CO2 levels have been lagging temperature levels. Going back thousands and millions of years (real) scientists have used CO2 levels in ice as a proxy to infer the temperature levels in the past, and we see countless natural cycles of temperature swings over the history of the planet. Dishonest politicians and academics have hijacked the noble tradition of science and taken small bits of truth (yes, temperatures fluctuate and we had some increase during parts of the last 100 years) out of context in order to spawn a greatly profitable industry of "global warming hysteria" as well as planting the seeds ideological lunacy in susceptible minds for partisan political gain and manipulation. It's all about the money. And we've been cooling since 2000, just as we were in the 1970s. While we should burn less fossil fuel for environmental, economic, and national security reasons; the bogus science of Al Gore and our fundamentally corrupt tax-free left-wing ideology farms known as academia are just plain wrong and motivated by greed.

Dave O'Donnell report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +6

This is so easy to figure out. Obama began spewing...

Oct 30, 2008 15:38     

This is so easy to figure out. Obama began spewing his rhetoric at precisely the same time as the levels of methane (and other noxious gases) rose worldwide.
JG report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

The sky is falling!

Oct 30, 2008 15:42     

Ok....all you Algore supporters...look out the sky is not falling! What a bunch of chicken littles. It's time we went back to living real lives.
Matman report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

The Word of Gaia flails uselessly against The Truth of Science

Oct 30, 2008 15:48     

D'oh! Not another failure of the sacred UN Global Warming Theory to accurately predict data! Now how will they destroy us all through punitive taxation and the hoarding of our food-producing farmlands to produce bio-fuel? The Goreacle simply must channel an urgent new message from Mother Gaia before the few remaining kool-aid drinking sheeple wake up and smell HIS methane, lest they be free from the shackles of the New Religion. People Bad! All Hail Gaia!

Cass report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Geez

Oct 30, 2008 15:52     

It's only "climate change" now because it's now become apparent to all that "global warming" is a bunch of B.S. and you need something to keep the scam going. If the reasons for this were so obviously the nefarious feedback loop as all you Ph.Ds-without-portfolio claim, why are the real scientists themselves confused? Also, I'd imagine the bacteria in London and Florida and all those other record-breaking-cold locales are not so busy today churning out all this methane...

C.J. Simones report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Wouldn't it be ironic

Oct 30, 2008 15:53     

Wouldn't it be ironic is the intended reduction in atmosphereic ozone by deliberate obsolescence of fluorinated hydrocarbons was responsible for global warming. Afterall OZONE O3 is a free radical, negative charge, and could it behave as the similarly negative charged hydroxyl free radical?
FrankC report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Al Gore is one Rich man because of this lie!

Oct 30, 2008 15:59     

I wonder what idea i can come up with to lie to everyone and make lots of money off of it. Carbon offsets?
M.B. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Now they tell us

Oct 30, 2008 16:09     

But where is Al Gore?
Simon Hawkin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

It's actually a "climate crisis."

Oct 30, 2008 16:10     

Please remember that the best term is "climate crisis." "Global warming" could be disproved, which would hurt funding. "Climate change" is not alarming enough to ensure funding. "Climate crisis" is alarming but adaptable to whatever the data show. Also, please be careful when using the term "greenhouse." It really does not really work "like a greenhouse" even if the end result is similar to a greenhouse. That's something the deniers harp on because it's easy to disprove. Remember, we are competing for funding with numerous other environmental movements, including some that are fighting pollution that has immediately demonstrable toxic effects. Even if every part of our theory is correct, there is a tendency to fund projects that save lives today rather than projects that have a long-term benefit. So please be careful with your choice of words.

Swut report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Don't Tell Al Gore , Shhhhhhhhhhh

Oct 30, 2008 16:15     

What does Big al have to say about this ?
M Guzzi report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

These guys are so fired

Oct 30, 2008 16:16     

Um, You can't say stuff like this. I think it's a felony punishable by death to question whether man is the primary, or even a, cause of global warming.
ocbizlaqw report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

notafool

Oct 30, 2008 16:26     

ok, so you are alarmed that the climate is CHANGING? as it has been since the formation of the planet? and you want to take action to stop the climate from changing? let's guess that you mean you want to take action to offset the human influence on climate (not literally stop climate change). 1. how do we know what the climate changes would be without human influence? are the climate models we have able to accurately predict how historical trends will play out in the future? 2. assuming we can model non-human-influenced climate patterns into the future, do we have sufficient understanding of global climate components and functions to control them to bring the outcome modeled in 1.?

coolbreeze report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Tell it

Oct 30, 2008 16:28     

Tell it to Algore, the maroon who has caused more expense to small business than taxes.
RON report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Too Much is Unknown

Oct 30, 2008 16:28     

To say that "science is only beginning to get a handle on the big picture of global warming" is rather optimistic. I'd say science is only beginning to identify what isn't known.
Jim Ogden report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Free Hat!

Oct 30, 2008 16:29     

He killed all those babies in self-defense!
Alex report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

If you listen really hard you can hear Al Gore cryi...

Oct 30, 2008 16:30     

If you listen really hard you can hear Al Gore crying some where about some election being stolen.
jeckelmyhyde report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Come on people! It's about the religion!

Oct 30, 2008 16:32     

Come on people! If we are going to make of a go of this new religion of environmentalism, we must BELIEVE in global warming and the fundamental evilness of the human race. We cannot let evidence and facts distract us.
Sam report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

If mankind is responsible for climate change on Earth...

Oct 30, 2008 16:32     

...then I suppose man is also somehow responsible for the climate change that has occurred on Mars over the past few million years. (Or could it be that all of the climate-change alarmists are simply idiots?)
beany report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

floridabb

Oct 30, 2008 16:35     

NUFF SAID,about "global" warming.
floridabb report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Flip Flop Gore

Oct 30, 2008 16:37     

Gore is waiting for the right time to short his position to global cooling. He will offer Methane options to hedge your Carbon offsets. Duke and Duke protests.
Cezane report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

No global warming, Victory in Iraq, what am I supposed to be angry about?

Oct 30, 2008 16:40     

This is bullcrap! I invested years of emotion into this. OK, since I've already decided I hate America, can someone tell me what the next issue is I can hate America for?? I'm waiting for my talking point so I can buy some tighter pants and scream at someone. Thanks, and peace be with all those who despise success.
colin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

If you accept this study, then you accept global warming

Oct 30, 2008 16:41     

The authors of this study introduce their study as follows: "Methane levels in the atmosphere have more than tripled since pre-industrial times, accounting for around one-fifth of the human contribution to greenhouse gas-driven global warming. Until recently, the leveling off of methane levels had suggested that the rate of its emission from the Earth's surface was approximately balanced by the rate of its destruction in the atmosphere." Note that term "greenhouse gas driven global warming." TG Daily's Rich Hodgin is cherry picking his science to support his opinion that global warming might not manmade. While that's a common phenomena, you would think that he would not try contradict a scientist using the scientists own data and logic. That's not only idiotic logic, it's also irresponsible journalism.

Doug Mytty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

If you accept this study, then accept global warming (the researchers do)

Oct 30, 2008 16:48     

The study authors introduce their findings as follows: "Methane levels in the atmosphere have more than tripled since pre-industrial times, accounting for around one-fifth of the human contribution to greenhouse gas-driven global warming. Until recently, the leveling off of methane levels had suggested that the rate of its emission from the Earth's surface was approximately balanced by the rate of its destruction in the atmosphere." Note the term: "human contribution to greenhouse gas-driven global warming". Whatever some people might want to believe, this latest study hardly punches holes in the global warming theory. I don't like the idea of crop loss, habitable land loss, or disease spread - but I'm not trying to wish it away either by cherrypicking data to create illogical conclusions. This study does nothing to suggest that man-made global warming is not a serious threat.

Doug Mytty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

It's all W's fault! (oh yeah... SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!)

Oct 30, 2008 17:33     

http://www.BelieveYouAreThere.com
Mark C. Lowe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

WELL DUHHH! It's called Precipitation Systems and lack of Sun activity

Oct 30, 2008 17:55     

So called 'scientists' are nothing more than data collectors and watchers. IF they were truly scientists, they would apply LOGIC first and then follow up with solid data. The facts are: how often and how much it rains globally DETERMINES the surface temperature of the earth and the amount of sun activity (flares and spots) also determine how much solar radiation (for you lacking in vocabulary, that is heat) is given off of the sun. It's simple: the more solar activity, the less amount of constant rain the hotter it gets. This leads to violent storm conditions like hurricanes, tornadoes, and nor'easters. This will also cause dry spots in certain spots, like the forest fires in southern California. The lessening of the sun's activity will allow then moisture to be more active yet less violet. Also, more atmosphere cleansing occurs-as supported in the beguiled article above. Again, if more people would actually sit down and THINK what is going on rather than REACT to the MSM (Mostly Senseless Morons), people wouldn't per say panic then. And, if any so called 'scientists' want to debate me on this, come prepared. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )I have a hefty amount of data and facts, but prefer to use simple logic to confound all you 'wise scientists'.

Hause report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +4

Hot Air

Oct 30, 2008 18:27     

With all the hot air comming out of the polticians mouths you would have expected the temperature to have increased 1 million degrees if man had anything to do with climate temperaturs.
teddy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

response to "most methane"

Oct 30, 2008 18:48     

The article does not question whether man is producing Co2 or methane. It says that man is producing more methane then anyone is giving us credit for! All you hear about is Co2 but it is more of an icon of the environmentalists. That is, methane is very important as well. Yet with all this Co2 being produced and methane at record levels last year the world got colder. Not to mention that after 110 years of industrial revolution temperatures have hardly risen and the docks hear around the east coast of Baltimore/Maryland area haven’t had to be raised one freaking inch!!! Global swarmign is just another bad reason to promote world socialism and nonsensical growth of government control and redistribution of wealth.

teddy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Al Gore invented the internet and global warming!

Oct 30, 2008 18:48     

Maybe Al Gore will win a Nobel prize for inventing Global Warming also!
GenX report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Weather Machine

Oct 30, 2008 19:10     

Now the Politicians can turn the weather machine off since they were trying to control the climate with it. It will save energy by not charging the Flux Capacitor.
StandUpChuck report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Lies and propaganda

Oct 30, 2008 19:25     

Come to tgdaily for the lies. Got direct to MIT for the truth: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/...t1029.html
Bubba Z report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

LOl

Oct 30, 2008 20:08     

Vote Obama 2008 McCain aka my granddad is not fit to run America. OBAMA 2008
Bob32 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -7

Just earth balancing

Oct 30, 2008 21:17     

either way. man-made or natural made. it seems to be leading towards the same direction, creating an earth that might no longer be most suitable for human survival, at least no in our present number. i guess it's just earth's way of keeping a balance... it's just trying to get rid of something it feels that it has too much of. too much of anything makes you sick. afterall, who is to say man-made is not natural? we ARE all products of the nature in the end.

eveafeline report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Source: Decompose of the national oil reserve

Oct 30, 2008 22:13     

and release from the oil wells. Hehe
nofubu report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Get the corks and hold the farts.

Oct 30, 2008 22:39     

What is next the govt attaches fart o meters to our butts so we all can be charged per fart. LOL
DS report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

WELL DUHHH!

Oct 30, 2008 22:45     

I agree with you completely although you should also take into account the Milankovitch Cycles of Earth's three movements through space. First is Earth's "eccentricity", that is, the change over about 100,000 years of it's circular orbit to a more elliptical one (and back). Meaning, sometimes we are physically nearer to the sun than other times. Secondly, Earth's tilt is not fixed. Over a period of about 41,000 years the Earth's axis tilt varies between 21.5 and 24.5 degrees. this is called "obliquity". Third is Earth's "precession" which means over a period of about 23,000 years the Earth's axis wobbles like a spinning top. While it is not a perfect indicator of climate change by itself, and there are a few flaws regarding the cycles and climate change (at least some unresolved correlations for now) the cycles have been proven to correspond with most big and little ice ages and warming periods. The point is if the human race disappeared off the face of the Earth tomorrow, the Earth would still warm... or cool depending on it's relationship to the sun.

USArtboy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

So, Al Gore is exposed for the myth he perpetuated!

Oct 30, 2008 23:12     

In all fairness, the McDonald factor has not been considered for methane increases. McDonalds has been growing globally and exponentially as a bysiness selling their greasy but yummy hamburgers. It increases the flatuance of the common schlup, especially during the Monopoly game period, when part of the world passes more gas than usual after chugging big Macs. After consuming numerous large ice teas (unsweetened), if may explain the increase of the water levels in the oceans too.

Kayo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Methane positive feedback from our emissions

Oct 30, 2008 23:54     

It is predictable that as the Earth grows warmer from our increased emissions, carbon sinks will become carbon emitters. In other words, the increased methane in the air is the result of us warming up the Earth with emissions which melts the cryosphere and releases tremendous amounts of methane locked in ice. A frozen peat bog in western Siberia the size of France and Germany put together contains about 500 billion tons of carbon. Western Siberia has warmed faster than almost anywhere else on the Earth, with an increase in average temperature of about 3C in the last 40 years. Even more Siberian permafrost is under the ocean, an area six times the size of Germany containing about 540 billion tons of carbon. That submarine permafrost is perilously close to thawing. Three to 12 kilometers from the coast the sea sediment is just below freezing. The permafrost has grown porous, there is a loss of rigor in the frozen sea floor, and the surrounding seawater is highly oversaturated with solute methane. “If the Siberian (submarine) permafrost-seal thaws completely and all the stored gas escapes, the methane content of the planet's atmosphere would increase twelve fold. The result would be catastrophic global warming.” --"A Storehouse of Greenhouse Gases Is Opening in Siberia," Spiegel, 17 April '08

Brad Arnold report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

why is this a tg daily article?

Oct 31, 2008 03:06     

all it does is bring out the crazy in people. stick to tech stories. i dont need to here either side talking about irrelevant things on a technology website.
Jonas report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Highermanmadetemp=thawing=furthermethanefromexpermafros t=notrocketscience

Oct 31, 2008 04:26     

Sorry to be rude but this is dumb science. The answer should be obvious to anyone who understands positive feed back. Here's wots happening: Man made warming is causing the melting of long frozen permafrost and ancient methane rich vegetation, causing the spike in methane. Means we are in deep shit literally.
primeval atom report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Nowhere does it say that these methane increases contradict global warming.

Oct 31, 2008 04:39     

Nowhere does it say that these methane increases contradict global warming. Nice traffic grab there.
Lets_Sow_Doubt_About_Science! report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

Yup

Oct 31, 2008 04:49     

Right on dude. You got that right. JIff www.online-anonymity.kr.tc
Jim Mason report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Does it realy?

Oct 31, 2008 04:50     

Man made or not, the earth is going to boil, and we are all in the pot. And if we dont turn down the heat, we'll be all well done for supper.
el pedro report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Retards !!!! It;s in the dooty

Oct 31, 2008 05:43     

You know , I am amazed that MIT scientists can't figure out something that has been already published yet not observed. It's all the frozen shit in the perma frost finally evaparooting. Tons of it , I mean fcuking tons !! We're talking about 10,000 years of polar bear , caribou and what ever else lives in the arctic circle, crap finally being released back into the atmosphere. So EAT THAT MIT !!!
Kaiser report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Volcanoes? Idiots.

Oct 31, 2008 06:02     

"Stop Global Warming! Plug A Volcano! Oct 30, 2008 12:12 "We told you so. One volcano puts out more green house gases than all of the factories and cars combined over an extended period." You, sir, are an idiot and so is everyone upvoting you. Objection: One decent-sized volcanic eruption puts more CO2 in the atmosphere than a decade of human emissions. It's ridiculous to think reducing human CO2 emissions will have any effect. Answer: Not only is this false, it couldn't possibly be true given the CO2 record from any of the dozens of sampling stations around the globe. If it were true that individual volcanic eruptions dominated human emissions and were causing the rise in CO2 concentrations, then these CO2 records would be full of spikes -- one for each eruption. Instead, such records show a smooth and regular trend. The fact of the matter is, the sum total of all CO2 out-gassed by active volcanoes amounts to about 1/150th of anthropogenic emissions. http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/12/17/223957/72 This is an extremely poor article TG, and a laughably bad interpretation of the research it claims to be representing.

Greg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

NASA's made mistakes which increased global warming figures

Oct 31, 2008 06:08     

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ear...tviewedbox In August, 2007: "A US blogger has caused a stir in the climate debate by forcing Nasa scientists to admit errors in some of their data showing increases in global warming."
Joe Citizen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

BBC video "Great Global Warming Swindle"

Oct 31, 2008 06:15     

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=great global warming swindle&sitesearch=#
Joe Citizen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

BBC video link broken, fixed here

Oct 31, 2008 06:16     

http://video.google.com/videos...tesearch=# Change "[plus]" to " ", or go to Google Video and search for "The Great Global Warming Swindle - Documentary Film".
Joe Citizen report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Those Dang Beer Drinkers... BRRAAPPP!!!... 'scuse me. :)

Oct 31, 2008 07:03     

Al Gore sees GW as a money making opportunity... given the fact that he's heavily invested in the very 'green' companies that he promotes to world leaders to provide funding too... what a ponzi scheme. Al Gore and the idiots who believe him at the UN aside.. the bottom line I see to this story is that for the time we've been observing this planet in any scientific detail, compared to the MASSIVE complexity of this engine God has created.. we just don't know enough or understand the mechanisms at work here. Some mechanisms we think we understand, are cross-influenced by others we don't even know about... i.e. the aforementioned methane emissions... (remind me to take Phazyme after much beer drinking... ;) Methane emissions to me mean more barbeques, more beer on the weekends with the aforementioned grilled mammal flesh etc.. The earth is built to accomodate the outdoor barbeque!! So take heart ye who embraces the dark Sith Lord Al Gore... the Dark Side of GW is merely a load of hot air! ;) LOL

Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Al Gore is the source of the rise in methane

Oct 31, 2008 07:09     

This clearly is the result of Al Gore traveling in his private jet and farting all over the globe. Prove me wrong!
Informed report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Does this mean Gore forfeits his prize?

Oct 31, 2008 08:04     

Does this mean Gore forfeits his prize? Usually people receive the Nobel Peace Prize after decades of practical proof and recognition. Can you say politics?
Junkie report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Quit the irresponsibility

Oct 31, 2008 08:33     

We have nothing to fear from honest scientific inquiry. Trying to divert attention from our environmental news by blaming the messengers may prove to be a fatal mistake for us all. That is irresponsible. To be responsible for what is our responsibility we need to quit defecating in our own home.
Robt. Braam report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

hmmm

Oct 31, 2008 08:54     

Then where should we poop!?! In the woods with the bears?
Stew Pidd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Give some more money for scientific research to thi...

Oct 31, 2008 09:40     

Give some more money for scientific research to this MIT people and they will figure it out. Question like "What causes world-wide increase in methane levels?" is so simple, even they can resolve it. At lase we a society based on science, not magic or shaman staff.
r_1 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Article is Poorly Written

Oct 31, 2008 10:18     

After reading the study in Geophysical Review Letters, I have found that the above article is fairly misleading. The research indicates that methane levels have increase simultaneously in both hemispheres during 2007. However, it was the first time this has occurred in more than a decade. So, this was largely anomaly. I think it would be fairly premature to declare this research the death knell to the idea that human activity is causing global climate change. There are more greenhouse gases than just methane (though methane is definitely the worse) and it is quite clearly to anybody that has studied combustion in chemistry class that we are pumping enormous amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. TG Daily should not mislead and misinterpret research in order to raise unawareness among its readers.

Georgy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Sensationalist Crap

Oct 31, 2008 10:47     

Good job with the misleading and inaccurate article summary. "One thing does seem very clear, however; science is only beginning to get a handle on the big picture of global warming." Really? Really? This statement is so false that I don't even know where to begin. Honestly, if this is the kind of crap that you have in your article you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. What's next? Is the earth flat too? Oh, and a disclaimer - I am a scientist, a biologist, and it's articles like this that hurt our funding, discredit our research, and weaken our relationships with the public.

Anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

A Very Misleading Article

Oct 31, 2008 11:20     

Whoever edited this article is at odds with the writers of the original report. The original report by MIT says: "It is too early to tell whether this increase represents a return to sustained methane growth, or the beginning of a relatively short-lived anomaly" While the editor of this article takes a misleading view of the report, saying: "Findings like these tell us it's too early to know for sure if man's impact is affecting things at the political cry of 'alarming rates.'" There's far more consensus that global warming is man-made. You don't throw out thousands of reports because one person found an unexplained anomaly. The writers of the original report know better than that. See the original story: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/methane-tt1029.html [Bill, There are two staunchly divided camps on this issue. There may be a greater consensus that a particular belief on the subject is correct - but that does not make it correct. I urge everybody reading these comments to take some time and research for yourself the issues of global warming, manmade or otherwise. There exists a huge base of scientists who do not believe global warming is the pressing issue and other scientists believe it is. And there are many alternate theories backed up with what appears to be conclusive data. Man may have an impact on global warming, but evidence like this suggests there may be alternate causes as well. And I believe it is our responsibility to look at everything, not just one side. - Rick]

Bill Merton report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Re: Sensationalist Crap

Oct 31, 2008 11:21     

Cowardly Anonymous wrote: "[...] I am a scientist, a biologist, and it's articles like this that hurt our funding,[...]" So, you are also preaching whatever improves your funding, no??? What if your the results of your research suggested, that no research need to be done on that anymore? You won't get any money. Would you openly say: "Hey, I'm ready to loose my job!"? Probably not. Maybe you would rephrase the results in a way that suggests that some more research woud be helpful. There is always politics and money involved - in ALL OF US, including you.

StudyMaster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Read the original article from MIT

Oct 31, 2008 11:27     

If you read the original publication from MIT, it says nothing about the conclusions that you can read in this page. You are using some phrases out of context to try to give some truth to this article. But in MIT did not said anything about the non responsability of humans in the global warning. This article is a lie and tries to create confussion. Bad journalists. MIT article: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/methane-tt1029.html

Bapho report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Take a warm cup of coffee and relax

Oct 31, 2008 11:28     

Please free me from all that AGW nonsense the greenies spread all over the world like missionaries of a new belief. Last month SCIENCE magazin told us: "Experiencing Physical Warmth Promotes Interpersonal Warmth" Hence what humans need is global warming to get better! :)
jenli report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Take a warm cup of coffee and relax II

Oct 31, 2008 11:29     

Just forgot the link to SCIENCE: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/322/5901/606
jenli report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Why no citation?

Oct 31, 2008 11:45     

Source please?
Dr. Jon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Science not prejudice please...

Oct 31, 2008 11:54     

The update to the article regarding permafrost in Siberia etc. makes me wonder if there isn't a bit of cognitive dissonance going on here. To illustrate my point: when the Viking probes were observed to deviate from their expected trajectories while exiting the solar system, nobody thought to say "down with Relativity" or down with "Quantum mechanics"... Instead, people sought immediately to search for an explanation which would *concord* with existing theory. So why is this simultaneous worldwide detection of methane immediately seen as a potential problem for global warming theory, and not a reason for us to wonder why or how a global simultaneous increase could occur? I'm not even in the field and I can think of several sources of methane, particularly sinks in ocean floors near the poles which are highly dependent on water temperature and salinity for their chemical stability... My voice means nothing in this debate... but the voice of the publisher of this blog post does. Try to recognize your biases a bit. Global warming is one of those theories that's a hot potato in the media. Don't let your scientific minds get all CNN'y on you. Relativity isn't questioned every time some experiment at MIT has a measurement mistake that contradicts expected results.

Guy Ritch report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Another predictable positive feedback due to global warming

Oct 31, 2008 12:22     

This is a well documented and expected feedback to a warming planet. See reports from several years ago: http://www.realclimate.org/ind...-warming/
Eg report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Whoops!

Oct 31, 2008 12:24     

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/...t1029.html
John report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

Why is tgdaily...

Oct 31, 2008 12:31     

...blocking posts asking for a source? http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/methane-tt1029.html
John report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Hahahaha

Oct 31, 2008 12:32     

global warming is a farce? is that i need to write so that tgdaily stops blocking posts arguing against this dumbass?
John report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Read the original article from MIT

Oct 31, 2008 12:35     

@Bapho: I am just as concerned as you about the "global warning"! ;-))
StudyMaster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Stand back! I'm going to try science...

Oct 31, 2008 13:21     

Confirmation bias: selective thinking whereby one tends to notice and to look for what confirms one's beliefs, and to ignore, not look for, or undervalue the relevance of what contradicts one's beliefs. It's interesting that people who have previously dismissed "theories" of things like evolution and global warming have suddenly had their faith in science restored by a single finding that they (mistakenly) believe supports their beliefs. Science is not a bandwagon.

Bill Nye report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Re: Sensationalist Crap

Oct 31, 2008 14:29     

@StudyMaster My first comment went right over your head. Perhaps I should be more clear: By "article" I mean the summary of the scientific piece written on this website - *not* the original research article. So "no" I'm not preaching "whatever improves my funding". The point I'm trying to make is that public misrepresentation of scientific research hurts our funding. If people report sensationalist headlines and inaccurately depict the progress of science, then the general public *may* be less inclined to a) care about the research and b) lobby for its funding. If you want a real world expand just google "Palin" and "fruit flies".

Not Cowardly Anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

How stupid can you get?

Oct 31, 2008 14:57     

The methane release was from oceans and sub arctic permafrost that has warmed -- DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING. The question any logical person would ask about this study would be, when was the last time this huge, global release of methane occurred? For most places in the arctic and antarctic, the answer would be "never". This article is a perfect example of how you can pay scientists to say anything.
Patrick McGonegal report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Re: Re: Sensationalist Crap

Oct 31, 2008 15:46     

@Not Cowardly Anonymous: Please don't compare me to that dumb nut Palin, ok? I did pay attention in biology class, and even tough it's been already 15 years since then, my biology teacher, intimidating Mr. Peterson, would smack me in the head, if I forgot about the Drosophila melanogaster, which was tought to us excessively. It's virtually impossible, since he practically implanted the fruit fly chip in all our heads. At one point, I swore to myself, that I'd kill myself if he mentions the word Drosophila one more time. And I can't believe I am actually using it myself. I may have not sounded like it, but I DO care about science a great deal. All I said, was, that money (and politics in part) plays a role in all our lives. And, although data is data (as a scientist you wouldn't fool with that, I hope), but the interpretation of the data can vary. And if you were confronted with a desperate situation for yourself (i.e. losing your job, because your results may make further research needless), you may color your interpretation a bit to your own advantage. It's just a human thing. We all do it.

StudyMaster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Re: How stupid can you get?

Oct 31, 2008 15:51     

Have you read their Update at the end of this article? "Several comments suggest a massive 2007 Siberian permafrost melt accounts for the observed increases in atmospheric methane. If Siberia were responsible for the increases, that would still be a northern hemisphere event and would require normal atmospheric cycling of about a year to reach southern hemisphere monitoring stations. These increases were nearly simultaneous and world-wide." Read first, and then shut up - please. 8/

StudyMaster report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

When articles skip the facts

Oct 31, 2008 17:05     

Misrepresent the notion that the methane has to be directly linked to pollution, fake a spontaneous global rise, and demonstrate that you don't know the proportions of GHGs. The likely source of the new methane expansion is the observation of just that increase in the heating Arctic Region. http://tinyurl.com/6e62cl
owl report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

There is no cycle whereby methane is spontaneously created from the void!

Oct 31, 2008 18:16     

since the only place all this methane can have come from is a massive 2007 Siberian permafrost melt, alongside undersea frozen methane melting - both of which have melted BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING - The theory that it takes 1 year to cycle down to the southern hemisphere must be wrong! There is no cycle whereby methane is spontaneously created from the void. eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

Nannon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

It's Al's fault

Oct 31, 2008 18:28     

Al Gore and all of his followers have been passing just an aweful lot of gas. That's the simple and scientific explaination. By the way were is the scientific tests that reflects a doubling of CO2, a .02% increase in volume, has an effect on temperature. Make this test result public so that we the people know for certain that it is our use of carbon based fuels is a cause.
bcorp report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Gee Duh Maybe it is because the theory is full of CRAP

Oct 31, 2008 18:38     

They're baffled alright. The same pointy headed idiots that need a study to tell you women think differently than men and that they tend to prefer blue eyes! ....... dumb... MMGW is politics not science because its all made up hooey.
Freemon Sandlewould report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

More idiocy - there's nothing to conclude from the study so don't try!

Oct 31, 2008 18:45     

The update definitely shows the editorializing of the story. If you note, the study author's say that a decrease in atmospheric OH levels could lead to a simultaneous worldwide increase in methane levels. In short, there's nothing conclusive about the study! I don't like the agenda of TG Daily and some geeks. Some of the tech sites seem to think the greenies will take away their 1000 watt psu's and other electron hungry gadgets.

Doug Mytty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Huge credibility loss on TG Daily's part...

Oct 31, 2008 18:47     

It's not the facts, it's the shoving of flawed conclusions that I resent. Definitely can find other sources of tech news. Will visit just to see if the bias continues. See ya!
Doug Mytty report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Stop whining and do something yourselves

Oct 31, 2008 19:56     

Firstly, most of what Al Gore claims seems to have been proven to be halfway fraudulent at best. He is a bad leader and a bad choice as poster child. I am sure he is making a huge amount from all the publicity leading to his lucrative lecture tours, and his lucrative carbon trading business. As his followers like to say "Follow the money" guys. As for CO2, there is still no certainty that we are having any important impact on the climate through our CO2 production. There have been much higher amounts in the past with no serious consequences, geologists tell us. There has also not been the fantastic heat rise the famous 'Hockey Stick' graph predicted. Temperature is rising at about 0.1C per decade, just as it has since about 1850, so we are probably not to blame, sorry. Above all, if anyone wants to do something, then DO IT. Stop whining about it, stop expecting your nanny governments to stop evil corporations from making a profit (for you, BTW). Here is a simple two step plan. If you do not already do it, YOU are the problem, not the SUV drivers. 2 Step plan: 1. BUY RENEWABLE ENERGY. That's right, vote with your feet. Buy it instead of that evil CO2 producing energy. It costs more, sure it will hurt, but that's the point, isn't it? Does Al buy RE? I'll bet he does not. These days anyone can, so just do it. Talk to your energy provider and go 100% renewable today. 2. BUY ETHICAL INVESTMENTS. Investing in high gain investments directly instructs corporations to MAKE MORE PROFIT FOR YOU. That's right, those billions are made for the shareholders, who in the main are pension holders like you and me. YOU CAN CHOOSE WHERE TO INVEST. Pick ethical investments. Again, it will hurt, but again, that is the point. YOU are fuelling Big Oil with your investments, not some shady group of conspirators. If all Al Goreans just did these two simple things instead of whining about the issue, the issue will no longer be an issue. Until you do, stop whining in public, because YOU are causing the problem.

Anarchist report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

31,172 Scientists Can't be Wrong

Oct 31, 2008 23:57     

This also supports icecap and the many other world-wide sites which identify the "Jim Hanson, George Soros, John Kerry claim that man has caused global warming" as pure scientific bunk. If you review the names and status of the 5 judges who awarded Gore the Nobel Peace prize, you will see that they are greenies and socialists. REMEMBER- Gore did NOT win the Nobel Prize in Science. Now, let's go out and clean up our planet in an attempt to conserve our environment. Throw the trash (Hanson, Soros, Kerry and Gore) out! Plant a tree. Preserve the Rain Forest. Encourage private invention of resources which will help us protect our planet because we respect our gift - not because we are fooled by liars.

Linda Mae report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

not news...

Nov 01, 2008 00:33     

even though they just now figured this out, my physics professor taught us this crap months ago.
sylahr report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

It's not surprising that this comes as a surprise t...

Nov 01, 2008 08:31     

It's not surprising that this comes as a surprise to the world's scientific community (stupid ignorant Godless Philistines...)
sam report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

1966 Greenhouse Global Freeze

Nov 01, 2008 10:35     

In 1966 my Geology Prof. said we would be freezing in 30 years due to the 'Green House' effect. He was a Harvard graduate. The BBC did a story on this whole guffaw. I'm going fishing; weather permitting!
Peter Reinhardt report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Cow farts

Nov 01, 2008 10:52     

Rolaids for cows could solve this problem!
joe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

They're Coming To Recall His "Major Award!"

Nov 01, 2008 10:56     

Since... ... we've had nothing but declining temperatures for the past 10 years... the ice caps and glaciers are now increasing in size (actually, the Antarctic ice cap never declined in size)... we're now witnessing record low temperatures in many locations... and... most of the "loony left" scientists are now "scratching their heads" and wondering "where did we go wrong," and are now actually predicting 100 years of "global cooling"... ... the Nobel Prize Committee is coming to recall his "Major Award!"

RCA - Dallas, TX report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Those Morons

Nov 01, 2008 13:10     

Give them a little more time, those morons (MIT - Morons In Training) will figure out a way to 'force' the data to line up with their phony theory of man made global warming.
Bob report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Gas found

Nov 01, 2008 13:12     

The source of this increase of gas islocated in New York and Florida, just follow the smell of Hannity/O'Reilly and Limbaugh and you will locate where this deadly gas is leaking from and polluting our country.
Dave Milton report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Limbaugh and Gore

Nov 01, 2008 13:48     

You guys leave algore (and Rush Limbaugh) alone. When I grow up I wanna be just like those guys. Both of 'em are crazy rich and have nothing at all to sell but mouth. Algore has carved himself a lion sized slice of a thirty billion dollar a year industry that is based on nothing more than shrill tree-hugging alarmism. What a genius.
Steve report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

What about the Arctic permafrost degassing?

Nov 01, 2008 16:15     

Did this paper come out too recently to consider the effects of the massive amounts of methane degassing from the Arctic that has just started to get a lot of attention? I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Anthropogenic warming has started causing the Arctic ocean floor permafrost to melt and release a lot more trapped methane than most of these models considered. It will greatly accelerate the warming process, and it is ultimately caused by human activity. It simply is not part of many climate models.

Lynne report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Global Warming not man-made

Nov 01, 2008 18:24     

This further proves that global warming is not man-made. Also proof that scientists are not infallible. Time to charge Al Gore and the greenies with fraud and send them to jail. Time to confiscate the money Gore's fraudulent company made selling "Carbon Offsets".
Ozark_Sunshine report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Though it should...Will this even make CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC or MSNBC?

Nov 01, 2008 22:30     

Only Fox has the guts to give this positive coverage - all the other TV networks will ignore or concoct a story about how this was generated by a vast right-wing conspiracy...
V Moreland report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

There's a surprise - 'Experts baffled'

Nov 01, 2008 22:48     

So once again the wizards of smart, who were so (bleep)ing sure that man created global warming, are not 'baffled' that all their predictions came to nothing. Will they now sign on to Al Gore's movie sequel - "An inconvenient admission that we were all a bunch of stupid moron idiots for making the first movie at all, and you were all a bunch of stupid moron idiots for buying into it hook line and sinker" Or would that title be too long? Surely the wizards of smart would 'get' it, presuming they get enough taxpayer grant money to study it.

Slyrr report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Faulty Data, faulty instruments, faulty scientists, very faulty assumptions

Nov 01, 2008 23:52     

Take your pick, they have it all wrong at any rate.
longun45 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

This is irresponsible reporting. People look closel...

Nov 01, 2008 23:59     

This is irresponsible reporting. People look closely at the article. The author does not quote the scientists as part of the larger conclusion. Only use quotes as certain facts but does not use the scientists words for actually supporting the headline of the article. This is irresponsible journalism, something that needs to go away in the new internet news age. In this article, the author has drawn his own conclusion..

Kevin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Professor Emeritus, University of Vermont

Nov 02, 2008 02:50     

Tim Flannery warned about the release of methane from thawing permafrost which seems to be the most reasonable source. I don't believe the notion that a year is required for small highly diffusible molecules like CO2 and methane to equilibrate in the world's atmosphere. jadavison.wordpress.com
John A. Davison report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Methane .. must work two ways

Nov 02, 2008 19:19     

If methane reflects heat from the earth back to earth, then it also reflects heat coming from the sun back to space. Gosh, this is so complicated, I'm so confused!
Marvin Lange report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

What is climate change anyway?

Nov 03, 2008 10:55     

The climate is ALWAYS changing regardless of man's activities. All the ice core, tree ring, etc analysis ever done has backed this up...therefore real climate change would be if the climate all of a sudden stayed the same for 1000 years. In well documented history (say from ~1100 AD), there's been changes in shore lines, weather patterns,etc. So, this is like "organic food" (what food isn't organic?)... dumb terminology used for marketing the idea.

Jim L report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Even the Earth has to fart now and then......

Nov 03, 2008 10:56     

Even the Earth has to fart now and then...
Mick report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Global Warming & MIT Study

Nov 03, 2008 11:33     

Imagine this - Al Gore where are you?
Smokey report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Read the MIT press release for the real story

Nov 03, 2008 18:28     

If you look at the MIT press release from the scientists, it tells a very different story than was written here. http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/methane-tt1029.html
Climate Scientist report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

anthropogenic global warming is not a myth

Nov 04, 2008 10:53     

global warming is an outright LIE
robert report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Anyway

Nov 04, 2008 22:52     

Let's stop greenhouse gases emissions together! We gotta stop. http://plusone-patent.com/bushi
jay report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Go Al Gore. Save the planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 13, 2008 21:52     

For all you out there That say that humans are not the cause of global Warming, i want to ask you something. Why then if you believe such absurdness, do blame Al Gore for starting it if he's human???? Ooooooooh what now!!!!!!
TheSmartOne report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

METHANE TRAPPED IN TUNDRA

Jan 08, 2009 12:09     

I saw this on Discovery Channel two years ago and they predicted this would happen. MIT baffled! Maybe they should watch more Discovery Channel. Scientist that have been studying permafrost and tundra have found large amounts of organic material in them which leads to the development of methane over the years. Increased temperatures have allowed the permafrost and tundra to melt releasing the trapped methane. What's so baffling about it! If anything it proves that the world headed for one helluva domino effect AE

Aaron Etches report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Right-Wing Extremists falsifying facts by confusion and ignorance

Jan 12, 2009 02:18     

It is no mystery and it is expected that global warming will dramatically increase methane gases into the atmosphere. Right-Wing Propaganda falsifying a story that casts doubt on SCIENCE is like Bush telling me that Saddam has a Nuclear Weapon. It is bull-s**t and the perpetrators need a fist slammed down their throats. Human activity has dramatically increased CO2 and thus increased the temperatures and melting in the polar regions significantly. The polar regions hold massive amounts of methane that will now be release each summer as the thaws penetrate deeper into partially decomposed biomass of the tundra. All this release of methane is directly attributed to Human caused increase in temperature. Some people just make stuff up like Fox News and make you believe the Scientists are stupid. It is the Right-Wing Idiots who believe whatever Fox and Friends tell them that are stupid and naive and almost child-like in their gullibility.

Arnold T report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

what do you guys think? man killing the planet? or ...

Jun 12, 2009 18:44     

what do you guys think? man killing the planet? or natural cycle?
morhon report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0