An Invisible Danger Accumulating in the Atmosphere: A Grossly Underestimated Gas Reaches Record Levels Not Seen in 800,000 Years

For years, the fight against climate change has focused on reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, another greenhouse gas, methane (CH4), is proving to be a significant and underestimated threat. Methane emissions have surged to unprecedented levels, and scientists warn that this could push the planet past critical climate thresholds.

Methane’s Sources: Fossil Fuels, Agriculture, and Waste

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, significantly more potent than CO2 in terms of its warming potential, particularly in the 20 years following its release. Concentrations of methane in the atmosphere are now three times higher than in the pre-industrial era, with levels not seen for 800,000 years. According to scientists, methane is responsible for approximately 30% of global warming.

The increase in methane emissions comes primarily from human activities. Fossil fuel extraction, agriculture, and waste management are the main culprits. While natural sources of methane, such as wetlands, do exist, human activities have driven a disproportionate rise. Over the past two decades, emissions from fossil fuels and agriculture have increased by 20%, now making up two-thirds of the methane in our atmosphere. This accounts for an estimated 0.5°C of the warming already recorded.

A Global Commitment Under Strain

More than 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to reduce methane emissions by 30% by the end of the decade. However, the most recent data from the Global Methane Budget 2024, published in Environmental Research Letters by the Global Carbon Project, reveals that global methane emissions have been rising at an alarming rate. The researchers note that achieving the goals set by the pledge seems increasingly distant.

Rob Jackson, president of the Global Carbon Project, stated, “Our goals seem as far away as an oasis in the desert. We all hope they’re not a mirage.”

Key Sectors Driving Methane Emissions

The majority of methane emissions stem from fossil fuel extraction (coal, oil, and gas), livestock farming, and waste management. Coal extraction is a significant contributor, not only producing CO2 during combustion but also releasing methane during the mining process. Livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, emit methane through digestion, while landfills release methane as organic waste decomposes. For every ton of methane released by the energy sector, agriculture and waste management combined emit double that amount.

The Role of the Pandemic

Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unexpected impact on methane accumulation. In 2020, the amount of methane added to the atmosphere was double the average annual increase recorded during the 2010s. The pandemic led to reduced emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), air pollutants that typically help break down methane in the atmosphere. As NOx levels dropped, more methane accumulated.

Regional Disparities in Methane Emissions

Methane emissions linked to human activities have fallen in Europe, and to some extent in Australia, but they have surged in China and Southeast Asia. This regional disparity underscores the challenge of coordinating global efforts to curb emissions.

Ecological and Climate Change Considerations

Methane’s impact on the climate is twofold: it not only contributes to global warming but also affects air quality and ecosystems. As methane levels rise, so do the risks of extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, which threaten biodiversity and disrupt ecosystems. Moreover, increased methane emissions lead to more ground-level ozone, a pollutant harmful to both human health and plant life.

Reducing methane emissions is crucial in mitigating these ecological risks. Addressing methane from agriculture requires changes in livestock management, including improved feeding practices that reduce methane emissions from digestion. In the energy sector, capturing methane during fossil fuel extraction through technologies such as flaring and improved leak detection can significantly cut emissions. Waste management systems should be optimized to promote organic waste recycling and reduce landfill emissions.

Potential Solutions

Agriculture: Innovations such as feed additives that reduce methane emissions from livestock digestion—like seaweed-based supplements—have shown significant promise in curbing methane production in cattle and other ruminants. Additionally, improving the efficiency of feed conversion and selective breeding of low-emission livestock can further reduce emissions. Manure management strategies, including anaerobic digestion, which converts manure into biogas, can also help lower methane release by capturing it for energy use. Expanding the use of regenerative agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and cover cropping, can enhance soil health, thereby reducing methane emissions indirectly by improving the carbon storage capacity of farmland.

Fossil Fuels: Implementing leak detection and repair programs at oil and gas extraction sites can significantly reduce fugitive methane emissions, which often escape through equipment malfunctions or infrastructure leaks. Using advanced infrared cameras and drones for real-time monitoring can make these programs more efficient. In addition to minimizing leaks, transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal can reduce the reliance on methane-intensive fossil fuels. The gradual phasing out of coal and natural gas in favor of cleaner energy alternatives is vital to achieving substantial reductions in methane emissions from this sector.

Waste Management: Investing in methane capture technologies at landfills—such as landfill gas-to-energy systems—can convert harmful methane emissions into a renewable energy source, helping to power homes and industries. Encouraging waste reduction through composting and recycling programs can divert organic waste from landfills, further preventing methane from being generated in the first place. Promoting the development of circular economy models, which focus on the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials, can also significantly reduce the overall volume of waste, thus lowering methane emissions from waste decomposition. Moreover, stricter regulations on food waste management in urban and industrial sectors can enhance methane reduction efforts.

In Short

Methane is often overshadowed by carbon dioxide in climate discussions, but its impact on global warming is profound and growing. Immediate action is required to tackle methane emissions from agriculture, fossil fuels, and waste management. While global pledges are in place, achieving meaningful reductions will depend on the adoption of innovative solutions and stronger international collaboration.