‘Dangerously Fast’ Methane Increase Suggests Feedback Mechanism May Have Begun

(The Energy Mix, 14 Feb 2022) Atmospheric methane levels are now nearly triple pre-industrial levels, found research published in scientfic journal Nature.

Methane concentrations in the atmosphere have risen at a “dangerously fast” rate and now exceed 1,900 parts per billion, prompting some researchers to warn that climate change itself may be driving the increase.

Atmospheric methane levels are now nearly triple pre-industrial levels, a news article in the journal Nature states, citing data released last month by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“Scientists says the grim milestone underscores the importance of a pledge made at last year’s COP 26 climate summit to curb emissions of methane,” a climate pollutant that Nature cites as at least 28 times more potent than CO2, but is actually 80 to 85 times more damaging over the 20-year span when humanity will be scrambling to get the climate emergency under control.

While the research focused to some degree on methane released through microbial action, Nature says nearly two-thirds of the methane releases between 2007 and 2016 were caused by human activity.

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The Energy Mix, 14 Feb 2022: ‘Dangerously Fast’ Methane Increase Suggests Feedback Mechanism May Have Begun