Methane
Methane, or CH4, is a greenhouse gas. Atmospheric methane has been rising and had record highs for 3 years running (as of 2023).
Methane emissions
Methane only stays in the atmosphere for an average of 12 years. However it has a higher radiative efficiency than carbon dioxide. It traps, on average, 83 times the heat (or infrared radiation) that an equivalent mass of CO2 would.
We should work to cut methane emissions quickly, but not at the expense of cutting CO2. Methane is temporary, while CO2 is forever. (Tweet / Twitter)
Fossil fuel operations and agriculture are the most significant sources of human-caused methane emissions. The IEA estimates that the energy sector accounts for 40% of methane emissions from human activities—and that total methane emissions are 70% higher than what national governments have reported.
Rising temperatures can help produce more methane—for instance, by speeding up microbe activity in wetlands 1.
Detecting methane emissions
Methane emissions can be visualised using thermal/infra-red imagery.
Methane Detection - Kairos Aerospace