What You Need To Know
Methane is a greenhouse gas that can be a more potent contributor to
global warming than carbon dioxide. It’s also invisible and
odorless, making it difficult to detect.
Scientists are starting to pinpoint the biggest sources of methane,
and advances in surveillance equipment have revealed hidden
polluters. Technical limitations mean we don't yet have a globally
comprehensive picture. For example, satellites can struggle to
detect emissions offshore and in higher latitudes such as the
Arctic, where Russia has extensive oil and gas operations.
Domesticated livestock, leaks from the oil and gas industry, landfills and coal mining are just some of the human activities that result in methane emissions, according to the Global Methane Initiative. At least a quarter of today's global warming is caused by man-made methane emissions, the Environmental Defense Fund estimates.
