Methane emissions

Global methane emissions are major part of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Methane in the atmosphere has a 100-year global warming potential of 34. Atmospheric methane concentrations have reached almost two-and-a-half times pre-industrial levels or 3.2 billion tons. Comparing methane emissions to carbon dioxide emissions is complicated by the relative persistence of difference gases in the atmosphere. On a 20-year timescale, methane is about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth; on a 100-year timescale, it is about 28 times more powerful. Global methane emissions are major part of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Methane in the atmosphere has a 100-year global warming potential of 34. Atmospheric methane concentrations have reached almost two-and-a-half times pre-industrial levels or 3.2 billion tons. Comparing methane emissions to carbon dioxide emissions is complicated by the relative persistence of difference gases in the atmosphere. On a 20-year timescale, methane is about 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth; on a 100-year timescale, it is about 28 times more powerful. Cattle account for about 40 percent of annual methane emissions. Wetlands are contribute about 30 percent of annual methane emissions. The energy sector (including oil, natural gas and coal) contributes about 25 percent of annual methane emissions. Natural sources other than wetlands account for about 10 percent of annual methane emissions. This includes emissions near oil and gas deposits unrelated to human activity, volcanic activity, and emissions by termites. (Total is greater than 100% due to rounding and different sources for data.)