Methane Emissions Blow Past Current Estimates

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Methane emissions from the global fossil fuel industry are up to 60 percent greater than existing estimates, according to a new comprehensive analysis of global methane emissions.

Map showing global methane concentrations in January 2016 at a pressure of 400 hectopascals, or roughly 6km above the surface. Concentrations are higher in the northern hemisphere because both natural- and human-caused sources of methane are more abundant there.AIRS/Aqua/Nasa

The unaccounted-for emissions are 300 times more than California’s Aliso Canyon leak.

According to current estimates, the fossil fuel industry contributes about 22 percent of global methane emissions and about 30 percent of total U.S. methane emissions. Methane has a higher warming potential than carbon dioxide in the short term.

Listen here to the NPR report:


For a deeper dive:

Guardian, New Scientist, TakePart, TIME, AL Jazeera, New York Magazine,NPR, Colorado Public Radio, Gizmodo

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