Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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There's Carbon dioxide, But What of Methane? There is great awareness (by many, but far too few), Of the slow metamorphosis of our atmosphere From increasing CO2 levels which is causing warming And thus melting of our great ice sheets As well as dangerous acidification of our seas. But now consider, with warming of our planet, The slow, but steady melting of the tundra, With simultaneous release of methane from the frozen organic matter. (Yes, we also observe methane escaping from gas wells, And many other 'leaking' sources about the planet, as well.) Sinking roads and villages are becoming obsolete, demanding abandonment. Moreover, when one descends underground Into the experimental deep pits below the surface, The immediate stench of decaying material is more than evident. This will be the future great challenge for the human population. Will the O2/methane balance remain in favor of O2? Be reminded of the methane (reduction) atmosphere of the past, And how stromatolites overwhelmed all life, With their need for CO2 and their exhaled O2, Shifting our atmosphere to what we know today. Frank Maurer 21 June 2025 2110 Hours.