Methane emissions may not be the sexiest topic, but how well we address them has huge implications for the climate. Rachel Cleetus, policy director for UCS, explains.
Option 1 - Take Action to Reduce Methane Emissions
There are many steps each of us can take to help cut emissions
Option 2 - Support Pro-Climate Candidates in Mid-term elections
Donate time or money to candidates in close Senate races who will take action on climate change
Three great options - Raphael Warnock of Georgia, Catherine Cortez Masto of NV and John Fetterman of PA
Endorsements - League of Conservation Voters (lcv.org)
Nations have agreed to phase out emissions from flying by 2050
Although the agreement is not binding, it represents a significant achievement in efforts to decarbonize the sector
Aviation currently represents 3% of global emissions but commercial flights are forecast to triple by 2050
The International Council on Clean Transportation forecasts emissions could be cut 85% alone through the use of demand management, advances in efficiency and biofuels
Sources
Nations Agree to Curb Emissions From Flying by 2050 - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Aviation - International Council on Clean Transportation (theicct.org)
Renewable natural gas
Captures methane (biogas) from agricultural and waste sources that would otherwise be emitted into atmosphere
Offsets need for fossil gas
New methane detection satellite set to be launched yet this year
Partnership between U.S. based Environmental Defense Fund and New Zealand
Global methane emissions 2019 data
~40% agriculture
~37% oil and gas industry (although likely much larger based on recent findings)
~18% waste
~5% other
Sources
New Zealand base for methane-measuring satellite mission | Reuters
Emissions by sector - Our World in Data