The study discovered that the amount and proportion of methane gas released into the atmosphere by humans is increasing, contributing significantly to climate change.
In 2020, the world emitted 670 million tons of methane into the air, which is a nearly 12% increase from 2000. The study in Environmental Research Letters highlighted a crucial finding that human-induced emissions surged by almost 18% in two decades, while natural emissions, primarily from wetlands, only rose by 2% in the same period.
The study noted that methane levels in the air are now 2.6 times higher than in pre-industrial times. Although methane levels remained stable in the early 2000s, they are now rapidly increasing due to human activities like burning fossil fuels, large-scale agriculture, and landfill disposal.
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The lead author of the study, Rob Jackson, expressed concern over the rapid rise of methane emissions compared to carbon dioxide. While carbon dioxide remains a significant threat due to its long-lasting effects, methane is a potent lever that can be utilized to combat climate change.
To limit global warming to the agreed-upon 1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon dioxide emissions need to be cut by half and methane emissions by more than one-third. However, the current trend indicates a potential warming of 3 degrees Celsius, which is twice the goal set by the Paris climate agreement.
The study highlighted the increase in methane emissions from various sources such as coal mining, oil and gas extraction, landfill waste, and agriculture. Cows were identified as the largest single source of human-connected methane emissions.
Although the study did not emphasize methane emissions from fracking, it noted a sharp rise in emissions from shale gas drilling since 2005, especially in the United States. The increase in natural methane emissions from tropical wetlands was attributed to warmer temperatures.
Despite global efforts to address methane emissions, the pledge has not proven effective in reducing concentrations in the atmosphere. The study warned that current trends are steering the world towards a 3-degree Celsius warming scenario.
