# Money and Methane in a Melting Arctic

*Published:* 2007-08-09
*Author:* Sheryl Canter

*The author of today’s post, Sheryl Canter, is an Online Writer and Editorial Manager at Environmental Defense.*

If you had any doubts that the globe is warming and the Arctic is melting, this month’s flag incident should put them to rest. A Russian submarine dove to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean to [plant a flag in the seabed](http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-rifkin9aug09,1,5146638.story?ctrack=1&cset=true). Why? There’s oil and gas in the Arctic seabed, which is now becoming accessible due to global warming.

Russia is [not the only country vying for Arctic rights](https://blogs.edf.org/climate411/2007/05/10/melting_arctic/). Canada and Denmark are arguing about rights to the Northwest Passage, and the U.S. is getting into the act as well. But unfortunately, more than just oil and gas will be exposed as the Arctic melts.

Frozen soils in places like Siberia contain vast amounts of organic matter, built up as plants grew, died, and then froze instead of decomposing. If the permafrost thaws, the organic matter will start to decompose, releasing huge amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. The feedback effect from the additional greenhouse gases would greatly accelerate global warming.

We’re at the cusp of a dangerous tipping point.