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Methane: The other greenhouse gas

Could reducing methane emissions be a short cut to slowing down global warming?

The latest UN climate report concludes that while carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of global warming, another gas - methane - is likely responsible for between 30-50% of the current rise in temperatures. Methane is much more effective at trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere than CO2 is, but it also breaks down much faster, raising hopes that quick action to curb emissions could aid efforts to keep global warming below 1.5 C. Methane is the largest component found in natural gas and is also emitted during the process of fracking and coal production. It’s produced in large quantities by farmed animals but also leaks into the atmosphere when organic matter decomposes in landfills. A report published earlier this year claimed that if existing measures and technologies were used more widely, human-caused methane emissions could be cut by as much as 180 million tonnes a year by 2030. But others argue that until CO2 emissions are dealt with, methane will remain 'a sideshow' and that attention paid to the problem must not distract from the bigger threat. So, is enough being done to prevent the leakage of methane?

Paul Henley is joined by a panel of expert guests. Producers: Paul Schuster and Zak Brophy.

Available now

49 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Sep 2021 03:06GMT

Contributors

Drew Shindell -Β Special adviser for methane action to the United Nations Environment Programme and Professor of Climate Sciences at Duke University


Raymond Pierrehumbert -Β The Halley Professor of Physics at The University of Oxford


Sarah Smith -Β Super Pollutants Director at the environmental advocacy group Clean Air Task Force


Euan Nisbet -Β Professor of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway - The University of London


Also featuring …


Frank Macchiarola -Β Senior Vice President of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs at the American Petroleum Institute (API)

Photo

A Cow stands in front of the RWE Niederaussem coal-fired power plant while steam rises from cooling towers on February 16, 2016 near Bergheim, Germany - Credit: Volker Hartmann/Getty Images

Broadcasts

  • Fri 3 Sep 2021 09:06GMT
  • Fri 3 Sep 2021 23:06GMT
  • Sat 4 Sep 2021 03:06GMT

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