Methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas with a warming power more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years of its atmospheric life, is a critical target in the fight against global warming. The sources of methane are wide-ranging, with contributions from oil and natural gas systems, agricultural activities, coal mining, and waste.
In a recent study published under the title “Wetland emission and atmospheric sink changes explain methane growth in 2020,” researchers examine why global methane levels reached record highs in 2020.
Findings from the Recent Study on Methane Emissions
According to the study, methane emissions reached 15 parts per billion (ppb) in 2020, up from 9.9 ppb in 2019. While some sectors saw reductions in emissions, such as oil and natural gas, coal mining, and fire emissions, there were increases from the agriculture and wetland sectors.
The study attributes these changes to various factors including low nitrogen oxide pollution levels, warming wetlands, and changes in soil conditions becoming ripe for microorganisms to produce more methane.
Nitrogen oxide, which forms hydroxyl radicals that remove about 85% of methane annually from the upper atmosphere, saw a 6% decrease in 2020 compared to 2019. This led to a decrease in hydroxyl sink by roughly 7.5 Tg per year.
The Significance of Methane Study
The study reveals crucial information regarding the increase in global methane levels during a time when many other greenhouse gases decreased. It hints at future implications for predicting methane changes in a world facing lower anthropogenic emissions and possibly a wetter climate.
About Methane
Methane, the simplest hydrocarbon (CH4), is a flammable substance used as fuel worldwide. Despite its utility, methane contributes significantly to global warming and promotes the generation of tropospheric ozone — a type of air pollution causing over one million premature deaths annually.
Initiatives to Curb Methane Emissions
To tackle the methane issue, various initiatives have been implemented globally and in India.
In India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) developed ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), an anti-methanogenic feed supplement that can reduce cattle methane emissions by 17-20%. Other measures include the India Greenhouse Gas Program led by non-profit organization WRI India, the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), and the Bharat Stage-VI emission norms.
On a global scale, efforts include the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS), the Global Methane Pledge, and the Global Methane Initiative (GMI).
Methane Questions in UPSC Civil Services Examination
The article also mentioned some previous year questions from the UPSC Civil Services Examination about methane, which helps readers to understand the content in a practical context and prepare for similar examinations.
