Methane Emissions Blow Past Current Estimates

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.

Porter Ranch Is Only Tip of the Iceberg Exposing Catastrophic Impacts of Natural Gas https://t.co/VVYCdcikQB @GreenpeaceUK @foeeurope

— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch) January 11, 2016

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: