Claim: computer model says thawing permafrost will run a lopsided carbon game in the Arctic

Watts Up With That?

From DOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Computer sims: In climatic tug of war, carbon released from thawing permafrost wins handily

There’s a carbon showdown brewing in the Arctic as Earth’s climate changes. On one side, thawing permafrost could release enormous amounts of long-frozen carbon into the atmosphere. On the opposing side, as high-latitude regions warm, plants will grow more quickly, which means they’ll take in more carbon from the atmosphere.

Whichever side wins will have a big impact on the carbon cycle and the planet’s climate. If the balance tips in favor of permafrost-released carbon, climate change could accelerate. If the balance tips in favor of carbon-consuming plants, climate change could slow down.

Turns out the result will be lopsided. There will be a lot more carbon released from thawing permafrost than the amount taken in by more Arctic vegetation, according to new computer simulations conducted by scientists from the U.S…

Ursprünglichen Post anzeigen 991 weitere Wörter