Study conducted by an international team of experts highlights how global methane emissions have been rising rapidly since 2006, particularly since 2020, a trend that's expected to continue over the remainder of the 2020s.
Key Highlights of the Study
- Anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions increases from the period 1850–1900 until 2019 are responsible for ~65% as much warming as CO2 has caused to date.
- Abrupt and rapid increase in methane growth rates in early 2020s is likely attributable largely to response of wetlands to warming, with additional contributions from fossil fuel use.
About Methane Emissions
- It is a short-lived climate pollutant and is the second-largest contributor to climate warming after CO2.
- Emission Sources
- Natural: Wetlands produce 30% of CH4. Minor sources include wildfires, biomass burning, permafrost, termites, and oceans.
- Anthropogenic: Agriculture (combination of livestock, waste management and rice cultivation comprise 20%), fossil fuel extraction (30%), and activities like waste management, etc.
- Impact
- Global Warming Potential (GWP): CH4 has ~28 times higher GWP (heat-trapping ability of a gas measured against carbon dioxide) than CO2.
- Pollution: It can lead to formation of ground level (tropospheric) ozone, a dangerous air pollutant. Methane leaks can also pose explosion hazards.
Initiatives to reduce CH4 emissions
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