A recent study published by the Global Carbon Project has highlighted the alarming increase in methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to climate change. The research reveals that methane concentrations have surged by 20 percent over the past two decades, with the largest increases coming from China and Southeast Asia.
Factors such as coal mining, oil and gas production, cattle and sheep ranching, and decomposing waste are driving this increase in methane pollution. In 2020 alone, 41.8 million tonnes of methane were released into the atmosphere, double the average amount added yearly in the 2010s.
The rise in methane emissions poses a significant threat to global climate goals, jeopardizing efforts to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius. Despite the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to cut global emissions levels by 30 percent by 2030, the recent spike in methane pollution indicates that achieving these goals is becoming increasingly challenging.
However, there are some glimmers of hope on the horizon. China, although not a signatory to the Global Methane Pledge, is planning to host a joint summit with the United States on greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide later this year at the United Nations climate change conference. This collaboration raises hopes for broader climate action and mitigation efforts to address the rising methane emissions.
Overall, the study emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation and increased efforts to curb methane emissions to combat climate change effectively. Failure to address this issue could have detrimental consequences for the planet and its inhabitants.
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