Trends in Global Methane Emissions
The Art
The Science
What’s Alarming
Methane (CH4) traps far more atmospheric heat than carbon dioxide. Although methane’s global warming effects last only a few decades, (compared to CO2 which remains in the atmosphere for centuries), it can warm the planet 86 times as much as CO2 before it decays into CO2*. In recent years, global methane levels have been hitting new highs. Over 60 percent of global methane emissions come from human activities such as industry, agriculture, and waste management. A study published by the journal Science in June, 2018 estimates current methane emission leaks to be 60% higher than EPA estimates. The International Energy Agency estimates that industry can reduce methane emissions by 75% and that most of those efforts would pay for themselves through the value of the saved gas.
Methane released by cows raised for agricultural purposes accounts for 26.9% of total methane emissions and is responsible for 9% of total US greenhouse gas emissions.***
*https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-bad-of-a-greenhouse-gas-is-methane
**https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases#methane
***Source of the Problem, Also Part of the Solution, The New York Times, March 9, 2019.
