Global methane concentrations are rising at an accelerating pace, posing a significant threat to international efforts aimed at meeting climate targets, according to a new study published on Tuesday.
“Methane is rising faster in relative terms than any major greenhouse gas and is now 2.6-fold higher than in pre-industrial times,” stated an international group of researchers under the aegis of the Global Carbon Project in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
Methane, the second most abundant greenhouse gas produced by human activities after carbon dioxide, primarily comes from agriculture, energy production, and decomposing organic waste in landfills. Despite its shorter lifespan in the atmosphere compared to CO2, methane’s impact is about 80 times more potent over a 20-year period.
The short atmospheric lifetime of methane presents an opportunity to mitigate climate change effects in the near term. However, the researchers found that, despite efforts to reduce emissions, atmospheric concentrations of methane continue to rise.
The accelerating increase of methane levels underscores the urgent need for global strategies to effectively curb emissions. The study emphasizes the importance of targeting methane sources to achieve significant and rapid climate benefits, complementing long-term carbon dioxide reduction efforts.
Reference(s):
Study finds methane rising faster than other greenhouse gases
cgtn.com
