Methane, a gas that might not be widely known, plays a crucial role in climate change. Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas produced from various human activities and natural processes. The main sources of methane include agriculture, biomass burning, waste management, and fossil fuel production. In agriculture, livestock such as cows, goats, and sheep produce methane through the fermentation process in their digestive systems, while rice paddies emit methane due to waterlogged conditions ideal for methane-producing microbes. Incomplete combustion of organic matter during forest, savanna, and agricultural waste fires also produces methane. Additionally, the decomposition of organic waste in landfills generates methane through anaerobic (oxygen-free) processes. The extraction and transportation of oil and natural gas can result in significant methane leaks.

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with a much greater warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2). Over a 100-year period, one ton of methane causes approximately 28 times more warming than one ton of CO2. Although methane emissions are relatively small in mass, this gas has contributed about a quarter of radiative forcing since 1750. Methane is a “short-lived” but intense greenhouse gas, with an average “lifetime” in the atmosphere of about 12 years, unlike CO2, which can persist in the atmosphere for centuries or even millennia. Once released into the atmosphere, methane is quickly removed through chemical reactions, reducing its concentration more rapidly than CO2.

Reducing methane emissions can have a significant short-term impact on lowering greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Some steps that can be taken include agricultural innovations by adopting more efficient technologies and practices, such as better livestock feed management and using rice varieties that produce less methane. Additionally, environmentally friendly waste management methods, such as composting and recycling organic waste, can reduce methane emissions from landfills. The energy industry also needs to improve infrastructure and technology to prevent methane leaks during the extraction and transportation of fossil fuels. Young people play an important role in advocating for sustainable solutions and ensuring a better future for our planet. By raising awareness about the importance of reducing methane emissions, we can collectively drive the necessary changes.

Methane might be less known compared to carbon dioxide, but its impact on climate change is real and significant. With collective action and sustainable innovation, we can reduce methane emissions and help tackle the climate crisis. Let us contribute together to a cleaner and greener future. Every small step we take can bring about significant change.

Source:

1. https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2024
2. NASA Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
3. Greenhouse gas emissions – Our World in Data

Contributor:

Meiardhy Mujianto