Short term gains in the fight to save the planet can be made if we understand that dealing with methane emissions must be a priority 1st is best. Methane is rapidly heating up our world and some sources we can directly control.

Its is fact that Carbon Dioxide does most of the long term damage, but it is also true that Methane is over thirty times more potent than CO2. Methane also leaves the atmosphere fairly quickly, Carbon Dioxide does not.

So, where are the sources of Methane emissions?

Agriculture, decomposition of waste and fossil fuels – these are under our control and account for 60% of the Methane in the atmosphere. The majority of this is agriculture, namely livestock farming.

Wetlands are the largest natural source and there is little we can do there. However wetlands absorb methane too and vast amounts of Carbon Dioxide. Wetlands are also critical for biodiversity and home to a disproportionately large number of species:

All about Methane Emissions

Methane (CH₄) is a powerful greenhouse gas, and is the second-largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide (CO₂). A molecule of methane traps more heat than a molecule of CO₂, but methane has a relatively short lifespan of 7 to 12 years in the atmosphere, while CO₂ can persist for hundreds of years or more.

Methane comes from both natural sources and human activities. An estimated 60% of today’s methane emissions are the result of human activities. The largest sources of methane are agriculture, fossil fuels, and decomposition of landfill waste. Natural processes account for 40% of methane emissions, with wetlands being the largest natural source. (Learn more about the Global Methane Budget.)

The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past 200 years. Scientists estimate that this increase is responsible for 20 to 30% of climate warming since the Industrial Revolution (which began in 1750).

Why is it that dealing with methane emissions is so critical?

We can control methane production from our agriculture simply by stopping mass production of beef and dairy products. We must still focus on Carbon Dioxide as well, but Methane should be a short term target.

Learn more about Methane heating up our world and what we know by clicking on the links below:

Our Earth and Leaf World Explained

What we now know about climate change

Also have alook at our post on Net Zero and Carbon Credits

This is why dealing with Methane Emissions is so important.