Polar Peril and the Methane Time Bomb

Join us for a critical discussion with esteemed guest, Professor Peter Wadhams, a leading sea ice specialist, who shares insights into the alarming rise of methane emissions from both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Recent discoveries, such as methane releases from King George Island in Antarctica, highlight the urgency of addressing these emerging threats.

This video was recorded on March 19th, 2025, and published on March 30th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

The conversation delves into the interconnectedness of climate systems, emphasizing how changes in the Arctic have far-reaching impacts on global weather patterns and ecosystems. Paul Beckwith, a climate system scientist, explains how Arctic temperature amplification affects planetary circulation, leading to extreme weather events. He also discusses recent research from Svalbard, where thermogenic methane emissions from glaciers are becoming a significant concern.

Peter Carter, a retired medical doctor and expert reviewer for the IPCC, underscores the critical role of methane in accelerating climate change. He highlights the irreversible nature of permafrost emissions and the cascading feedbacks in the Arctic, which are triggered at just 2°C of warming. The discussion emphasizes the need for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate these catastrophic trends. Watch to learn more about the urgent challenges facing our planet and the imperative for collective action.

Links:

• Large Methane Leaks Discovered in Antarctica

• Hudson-70: The First Circumnavigation of the Americas (pdf)

• Figure 2.1 from OECD Report on Climate Tipping Points

• Methane Emergency (CEF Video)

• Global Warming in the Pipeline and Earth’s Energy Imbalance (CEF Video)

• State of the Cryosphere Report 2024

• Bye Bye 1.5, What’s Next? (CEF Video)

• A Farwell to Ice

• Talik

• Frozen Arctic

• The Bright Side: How Optimists Change the World, and How You Can Be One

Special Guest:

• Dr. Peter Wadhams - is emeritus professor of Ocean Physics, and Head of the Polar Ocean Physics Group in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge. He is best known for his work on sea ice.

Regular Panelists:

• Dr. Peter Carter - MD, Expert IPCC Reviewer and the director of the Climate Emergency Institute

• Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University

• Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: crowander.com

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions