What Is Methane (CH₄)?

Where Does Methane Come From?

Natural Sources

• Wetlands: The largest natural source of methane, wetlands produce CH₄ through anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
• Termites: Methane is released during the digestion process in termites.
• Oceans: Underwater sediments and some marine organisms contribute to methane emissions.

Human-Related Sources

• Agriculture: Livestock, especially cows, emit methane during digestion (enteric fermentation). Manure management also releases methane.
• Fossil Fuels: Extracting, transporting, and using coal, oil, and natural gas leads to methane leakage.
• Landfills: Decomposition of organic waste in landfills generates methane under anaerobic conditions.
• Biomass Burning: Burning organic matter releases methane along with other gases.

Why Is Methane Important in Climate Change?

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. Over a 20-year period, it has a global warming potential (GWP) approximately 80 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Methane has a shorter atmospheric lifetime (~12 years) than CO₂, but its high GWP makes it a critical target for short-term climate action.

How Does Methane Affect the Atmosphere?

Methane contributes to:

• Global Warming: Trapping heat and raising global temperatures.
• Tropospheric Ozone Formation: Methane reacts with other gases to form ozone, a harmful air pollutant and greenhouse gas.
• Accelerating Ice Melt: Methane released from thawing permafrost amplifies warming in Arctic regions.

How Is Methane Measured?

Methane emissions are typically measured in parts per billion (ppb) in the atmosphere or quantified in terms of tonnes of CH₄ emitted per year.

Advanced technologies like satellite monitoring, ground-based sensors, and aircraft measurements help track methane emissions and identify hotspots.

What Are the Major Impacts of Methane Emissions?

Environmental Impacts

• Climate Change Acceleration: Methane’s heat-trapping ability significantly contributes to global temperature rise.
• Ozone Formation: Methane-driven ozone can harm plant growth and reduce agricultural yields.

Human Health

• Air Quality: Methane contributes to air pollution through ozone formation, which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Economic Effects

• Energy Loss: Methane leaks from natural gas infrastructure represent wasted energy resources.
• Agricultural Productivity: Changes in weather patterns due to methane-driven climate change affect crop yields.

How Can Methane Emissions Be Reduced?

Agriculture

• Improve livestock feed to reduce methane from enteric fermentation.
• Utilize anaerobic digesters for manure to capture methane and convert it into biogas.

Energy Sector

• Detect and repair leaks in oil and gas infrastructure.
• Transition to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Waste Management

• Improve landfill design to capture methane emissions for energy generation.
• Promote composting and recycling to minimize organic waste in landfills.

Natural Systems

• Protect and restore wetlands to manage methane emissions responsibly.
• Prevent permafrost thawing through climate stabilization efforts.

What Is "Fugitive Methane"?

Fugitive methane refers to unintentional methane emissions, typically from:

• Leaks in natural gas infrastructure.
• Coal mining activities.
• Abandoned oil and gas wells.

Addressing fugitive methane emissions is a high-priority climate action due to its preventability and significant warming potential.

What Is Methane Hydrate?

Methane hydrate is a solid compound where methane is trapped within a lattice of water ice. It is found in deep ocean sediments and Arctic permafrost.

Why does it matter?
Methane hydrate represents a massive potential source of methane. If destabilized by warming, it could release large quantities of CH₄ into the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change.

How Do International Efforts Address Methane?

Global Methane Pledge

This initiative, launched at COP26 in 2021, aims to cut global methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Over 100 countries have joined the pledge, committing to targeted actions in agriculture, energy, and waste management sectors.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Methane reduction is part of broader international efforts under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

How Can Individuals Help Reduce Methane Emissions?

• Dietary Choices: Reducing consumption of meat and dairy can lower demand for livestock farming.
• Waste Management: Compost organic waste instead of sending it to landfills.
• Energy Efficiency: Support clean energy initiatives and advocate for methane leak detection policies.

Why Is Methane a Critical Focus for Climate Action?

Tackling methane emissions offers a quick and impactful way to slow down global warming. Its short atmospheric lifetime means that reductions made today can have noticeable benefits within a few decades.

Focusing on methane reduction alongside carbon dioxide mitigation is essential for achieving long-term climate stability.