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UNEP: Methane released from melting ice could push climate past tipping point

29.11.2012

Thawing permafrost releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, but this has not yet been included in models of the future climate. Permafrost covers nearly a quarter of the northern hemisphere at present and is estimated to contain 1,700 gigatonnes of carbon – twice the amount currently in the atmosphere. As it thaws, it could push global warming past one of the key "tipping points" that scientists believe could lead to runaway climate change.  As governments meet for climate change negotiations in Doha, Qatar,  the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),   called for the effect to be studied in detail by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The next IPCC report will be published in several parts from next year.

Photo (c) Chris Goldberg / Flickr