Bacteria aiding global warming
Makoto Mitsui Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

The level of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere is likely to grow
more than expected as soil bacteria, in response to rising
temperatures, break down more organic material and produce more CO2,
according to results by an international research team.

The phenomenon will in turn accelerate global warming, and the team's
findings serve as a renewed warning to the international community
about the need to further reduce CO2 emissions.

[ . . . ]

The team found that discharged CO2 from organic material such as leaves
and animal bodies broken down by bacteria is larger than the absorbed
CO2 from plant photosynthesis. In addition, less CO2 will be absorbed
by the ocean due to rises in water temperature.

The team concluded that global warming will progress faster than
expected, saying the average global temperature in 2100 will be 0.1 C
to 1.5 C higher than current estimates.

The result shows no time should be wasted in preventing progress in
global warming, according to specialists.

[ . . . ]

To stop global warming before it seriously influences ecology and human
activities, it is necessary to reduce CO2 emissions to a certain extent
within this century, according to scientists. If the CO2 absorbing
ability of forests and oceans deteriorates drastically, it will be
difficult to maintain stable CO2 levels in the air, given that it is
impossible to eliminate the CO2 emissions resulting from human
activities. The report highlights the necessity to develop effective
CO2 reduction measures as soon as possible.

(Feb. 16, 2006)

The entire story is at:
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national...16TDY01002.htm