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:
- Support our work

- 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 - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP26 team lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader

Our Website:

Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander

[leonardkellum]

In the 90's I told coworkers that I was concerned about the methane, not just co2. I look at little children and hate the rich who rule the world.

[Annique]

I barely finished high school so I struggle sometimes to grasp climate science, but I ALWAYS tune in whenever a video of yours drops, and I try to absorb what knowledge I can. I want to follow the signs and be prepared for the future. I'm only 35, realistically I could have another 4 to 6 decades on this earth, and while I enjoy life I do worry about how bad it will get before my time is up.
Now if I didn't have a shred of optimism left I wouldn't be eating vegan, foregoing a car or plane flights, eschewing buying anything new, living minimalistically in general (few cosmetics, electronics or other unimportant stuff), and only turning the thermostat on when my poorly insulated apartment gets too cold to be liveable. Sadly I live in social housing so I can't change the fact that we're still on gas and have no solar, but all the more reason to live as lightly on this earth as I can manage. I still believe it can all make a difference.
Sadly I have nobody I can talk about these concerns with. My loved ones are either tuned out, find it tiresome and depressing to talk about, or straight up deny what is going on. So watching these videos and other climate content makes me feel less alone, makes me feel connected to all these people out there who share my worries and who want to take up the fight as well. This is our home, and we can't let it go to hell.
So I want to sincerely thank you for everything you do in this space. You're not just banging a drum in the desert, we hear you.

[maxxrelax]

As always thank you gentlemen, special thanks to Dr. Wadhams for this crucial information!

[kated]

"DRILL BABY DRILL!!!!" - Humanity's last words... probably.

[stevenapollonio]

Thank you all for another jaw dropping presentation. It is said we can only see tipping points in the rear view mirror. I would say we are already there.

[caseycramer]

You men are all heroes in my book. It's such discouraging work, yet you continue with dignity and grace. Thank you!

[reverands]

I wonder what Mr. Waddams thinks of the new theory going around, that CO2 triggered Methane to initiate the rapid ramp-up to the peak of the PETM. The triggers usually considered for that, was large wildfires, lightning triggered underground coal seam fires, volcanism, and the two others I can't remember, right now.

Since Methane breaks down into CO2, Methane didn't leave an easily identifiable fingerprint.

[shawngrinter]

Excellent talk, pity no one in power is listening

[Lyra]

I strongly believe that most Western governments now understand the gravity of our circumstances. But they also know that there exists no human intervention that could now possibly prevent runaway global heating.

So our leaders are grabbing all they can in the hope that their wealth will insulate them and their families from the most dangerous and lethal consequences that we are all going to experience.

[howardbreen]

"The most criminal negligence one can imagine." ~ Dr. Peter Carter -- Much appreciation to each speaker!! Sharing widely.

[branflanbutler]

I don’t know how these videos don’t have way more reach…this affects the entire world

[marydinneen]

Thank you so much for your dedication to informing humans of the reality of what is happening on our planet. I look forward to every report you provide.

[brianwheeldon]

Gentlemen all, thank you for speaking from 'the heart' about this truly homicidal and suicidal path we're on. As you say 'we won't be around if we do nothing, we'll all be dead'. Don't focus on the fear, focus on doing something about the situation. We're not deer in the headlights, we've got a brain, don't we?! Speak of your fears with partners, spouses, kids, neighbours (do you speak with your neighbours, do you know them even?)... Speak and organise, call a community meeting, drop leaflets in letter boxes in your street, your small part of town and talk about what your problems are and narrow them down to the most urgent. Then do something about it. Follow your heart and use your intelligent human brain.

[sambanight]

It's great to hear Dr. Peter Waldhams speak on this forum. His book "A Farewell to Ice" was all I had to go on for a number of years. With out this book I would have been lost in searching for the truth in climate science.

[lindsayheyes]

I've been telling people about this since the late 1980s - yet you never hear about it in the media. It's such an obvious tipping point.

[rubyvolt]

I showed my son the graphs from the NOAA ice center. I would say we are in the middle of the turn UP on the hockey stick for low ice.

[xenocampanoli]

Respectfully, regarding the T-Shirt, at least here in the United States, I think most who can know of climate problems already know them. It is too late to convince more people in these ways, at least in the present atmosphere. What we need to do now is strengthen those who are able and willing to understand. We need more knowledge like this video. We need to be constantly discussing cooperation for survival both around climate problems and around these political insanities. Thank you.

[CHistrue]

The elephant in the room is rising authoritarianism that people who care about our planet will face. A great deal of important points have been made about not complying in advance. I agree. But something else must be said. A trait of totalitarian nihilism is the belief that empathy is weakness. This belief marks totalitarian ideology and praxis. It is important to resist this belief. Empathy is power.

Most of us have fallen for the trap of seeing empathy as weakness but the trap is poison. Empathy must be seen for what it is, the real power to change the world.

[georgewaters]

Top top show this week guys. Thank you for all you are doing!

[MartinFernandez_]

This is a great program, I hope more and more people listen.