A new study emphasizes that global methane emissions have been rapidly increasing since 2006, particularly from 2020 to the present. This trend is expected to continue unless we take decisive action soon.
Signs of the rapid increase in methane emissions include: record high temperatures, declining health, melting ice sheets, and unpredictable weather patterns. However, we are still continuing to pump more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, threatening our very survival.
The study also outlines several strategies that countries can implement and has designed an online tool to support the execution of these strategies.
The sharp rise in methane emissions is primarily due to the continued use of fossil fuels, specifically from oil, gas, coal extraction, and processing. Additionally, natural methane emissions from wetlands due to warming climates are also contributing to this increase.
Rapid increase in methane emissions: blue represents data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, green represents data from the World Meteorological Organization, and brown-yellow represents satellite-collected data (Image: Frontiers in Science 2024).
Methane is also emitted from landfills, melting permafrost, and livestock farming. However, researchers note that while these emission sources need close monitoring and have potential for cost-effective reductions, they currently represent only a small fraction compared to the aforementioned sources.
In the research report, scientists state: “Global efforts to curb climate change are primarily focusing on CO2 emissions. However, as humanity has not adequately responded to climate change over the past few decades to keep warming at agreed levels, we now must address all major sources of climate pollution.”
Currently, methane concentrations in the atmosphere are lower than carbon dioxide, but methane is a more destructive greenhouse gas. In addition to contributing to temperature retention and warming the Earth, similar to CO2, methane also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
All sources of methane emissions require urgent attention. The study found that we must achieve methane reduction targets in parallel with CO2 reduction targets. New technologies and policies for reducing methane emissions also need to be implemented immediately.
The research report suggests that rapidly reducing methane emissions in this decade is essential to slow warming in the near future, limit exceedances by mid-century, and keep carbon emissions within acceptable limits.
It can be said that the warnings from scientists about the Earth’s climate situation have reached a level of “deafening silence”, and the question remains whether humanity will heed these warnings before it is too late.
What is even more discouraging is that the mitigation of methane has not received the appropriate attention, even though it is indeed very cost-effective—certainly much more so than the costs of addressing the consequences of ongoing climate change.
The research team has created an online tool to effectively support methane emission reduction while also tracking the impact results from reducing methane.
