3.9  Atmospheric Methane

Atmospheric Methane also warms the Earth

Methane is actually a very big problem, and it is a growing problem. Methane has a larger ability to increase the Earths average temperature than CO2.

Methane and CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere are both causing Earth’s average temperature to increase.

Currently, the warming caused by Methane in the Earth’s atmosphere is about 67% as much as the warming caused by CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere. This means Methane is about 2/3rds as large the problem caused by CO2 emissions.

The amount of Methane in the Earth’s atmosphere has increased rapidly in the past 10 years, and it is a far more effective trapper of the Sun’s heat.

A lot of Methane comes from Cow and Sheep manure, and dairy farm sewerage. Growing rice in wet paddocks also produces Methane. 

Fugitive emissions of Methane and CO2 are released into the atmosphere from losses and leaks within industries producing natural gas, oil and coal.

All coal seams in the Earth contain some level of gas as a consequence of how the coal is formed. These gases escape, as undesirable fugitive gases during both open-cut and underground mining operations.

Fugitive mine gas emissions are a significant component of climate change. Methane emissions from mining currently accounts for about 8% of total global anthropogenic (ie. human activity causing) Methane emissions.

Methane is a serious problem

Reference: Information from the Special IPCC Briefing with Professor Lesley Hughes – organised by Groundswell Giving - Thu 2nd Sep 2021, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm AEST