U.S., Russia plan truce to cement Putin’s Ukraine gains — Bloomberg
According to Bloomberg News, the United States and Russia are working toward an agreement aimed at halting the war in Ukraine by formalizing Russia’...
Spanish scientists have discovered massive methane emissions from the Antarctic seabed, a potent greenhouse gas that could accelerate global warming, highlighting the environmental risks of thawing ice sheets and trapped methane hydrates.
A team of Spanish scientists aboard the Sarmiento de Gamboa vessel has made a groundbreaking discovery beneath Antarctica’s icy waters. The researchers detected significant emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is far more effective in trapping heat than carbon dioxide. These emissions, previously unknown to scientists, could have serious consequences for the planet’s climate.
The methane, which has accumulated on the seabed for approximately 20,000 years, originates from methane hydrates, a crystalline substance created by the decomposition of organic matter. Geologist Roger Urgeles from the Institute of Marine Sciences in Barcelona explained that these hydrates are comparable to ice, but they can ignite if exposed to the right conditions.
The scientists’ findings are particularly concerning given the ongoing effects of global warming in Antarctica, where temperatures have risen by over three degrees Celsius in just the past 50 years. The thinning of the Antarctic ice sheet is believed to be triggering the release of trapped methane. This phenomenon, known as postglacial rebound, could result in the rapid release of large amounts of methane from the seabed.
In the region around Antarctica, approximately 24 gigatons of carbon are estimated to be stored in methane hydrates—equivalent to the total emissions of humanity over the course of two years. This discovery highlights a potentially significant environmental threat, as the release of methane could accelerate climate change, raising global temperatures even further.
In addition to the methane threat, the researchers also identified instability in the marine sediments, which could lead to massive landslides along the continental slope. These landslides could trigger a tsunami, presenting a further danger to the environment and surrounding regions.
This finding underscores the urgent need for continued research on the environmental and geological changes taking place in polar regions. As the effects of climate change intensify, understanding the potential risks associated with thawing permafrost and methane emissions will be crucial for mitigating the long-term consequences on global ecosystems and human populations.
As Antarctica continues to experience rapid changes due to rising temperatures, the world must take note of this significant discovery and its implications for the future of our planet. The potential release of methane from the seabed adds a critical layer to the conversation surrounding climate change and the need for proactive action.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A resumption of Iraq’s Kurdish oil exports is not expected in the near term, sources familiar with the matter said on Friday, despite an announcement by Iraq’s federal government a day earlier stating that shipments would resume immediately.
Chinese automaker Chery has denied an industry-ministry audit that disqualified more than $53 million in state incentives for thousands of its electric and hybrid vehicles, insisting it followed official guidance and committed no fraud.
Wildfires driven by powerful winds swept through Greece on Friday, from the southern outskirts of Athens to the region near Ancient Olympia.
The residents of Pingtou, a small village in China's southern Guangdong province, are grappling with the worst floods in living memory. While the region is accustomed to typhoons and seasonal downpours, this week’s flooding has shocked even the oldest villagers.
A growing number of extreme climate events are inflating food prices around the world, with new research showing that key crops such as coffee, cocoa, rice and vegetables have seen sharp increases due to weather shocks.
The Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most significant coral decline in nearly four decades, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS).
Torrential monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across northern and eastern India, with widespread flooding reported in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Overflowing rivers, submerged streets, and landslides have left residents stranded and local infrastructure overwhelmed.
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