Articles tagged with "methane-emissions"
Methane Super-Emitters Beware, Bloomberg Is Coming
The article discusses a new $100 million initiative launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies to combat methane super-emitters worldwide. Methane, a greenhouse gas with 80 times the warming impact of carbon dioxide, has historically received only 2% of climate finance despite its significant role in climate change. Bloomberg’s fund aims to establish a global network of “Methane Response Basecamps” to identify and reduce methane emissions, which could cut global methane emissions by 30% by 2030—equivalent to removing about 10 gigatons of CO₂ and preventing numerous health issues related to air pollution. A major challenge in addressing methane emissions has been detecting their sources. Advances in satellite technology, particularly NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) on the International Space Station, have enabled the identification of over 50 methane super-emitters across regions including Central Asia, the Middle East, and the southwestern United States. These super-emitters are typically linked to fossil fuel
energymethane-emissionsclimate-actiongreenhouse-gasesenvironmental-monitoringsatellite-technologydecarbonizationSome More Sustainable Rice Alternatives - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica addresses the significant climate impact of rice cultivation, primarily due to methane emissions from traditional wet farming methods. It highlights several sustainable farming practices that can reduce these emissions, including alternate wetting and drying (AWD), mid-season drainage, and direct seeding. AWD involves controlled irrigation around critical growth periods to reduce methane and arsenic uptake. Mid-season drainage temporarily dries fields during the growing season to cut greenhouse gas emissions, while direct seeding reduces the flooding period by about a month, further lowering methane output. Beyond improving rice cultivation methods, the article explores low-carbon alternatives to rice for those seeking more sustainable diets. While not exhaustive, the suggested alternatives include grains and foods that often have higher protein content than rice, offering both environmental and nutritional benefits. The piece underscores the broader context that agriculture and food production significantly contribute to climate change, with rice being a notable factor due to its methane emissions. Additionally, the article briefly mentions teff, a grain used in Ethiopian cuisine,
energysustainable-agriculturemethane-emissionsclimate-changerice-cultivationgreenhouse-gaseslow-carbon-dietMethane Madness Infects New Zealand Government - CleanTechnica
The article discusses New Zealand's significant methane emissions problem, largely stemming from its vast population of ruminant farm animals—approximately 24 million sheep and 10 million cattle. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas about 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat, is produced naturally during the digestion process of these animals. Agriculture accounts for half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, with methane making up about 85% of that share. Under former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand had set ambitious methane reduction targets aiming to cut emissions by 25-50% by 2050 to help combat global warming. However, the current government led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has significantly weakened these targets, opting instead for a goal of "no additional warming" by reducing methane emissions only 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050. This shift is justified by the government as a necessary balance between climate goals and protecting the agricultural sector, which is vital for
energymethane-emissionsgreenhouse-gasesclimate-changeagriculture-emissionsNew-Zealand-energy-policyenvironmental-impactBlue Threat: Will the EU's Hydrogen Policy Stay Green? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the European Union's recently adopted Low-Carbon Fuels Delegated Act (DA), which finalizes the regulatory framework for renewable (RFNBO) and low-carbon hydrogen production. While the worst-case regulatory outcomes were avoided, the DA still underestimates the true climate impact of blue hydrogen, primarily due to reliance on outdated methane leakage data and insufficient accounting for midstream emissions such as LNG liquefaction, shipping, and regasification. Additionally, low-carbon electrolysis hydrogen benefits from more lenient rules compared to RFNBO hydrogen, potentially skewing the market and risking the entrenchment of high-emission hydrogen pathways under the "low-carbon" label. Transport & Environment (T&E) recommends that the EU strengthen safeguards by ensuring comprehensive lifecycle greenhouse gas accounting that includes upstream methane leakage and the short-term climate effects of methane. They also urge maintaining regulatory stability to encourage investor confidence and timely Final Investment Decisions for RFNBO projects. Furthermore, T&E emphasizes the importance of
energyhydrogenlow-carbon-fuelsEU-policyrenewable-energymethane-emissionsclean-energyAbandoned coal borehole leaks methane equivalent to 10,000 cars
A single abandoned coal exploration borehole in rural Queensland, Australia, has been identified as a significant methane “super-emitter,” releasing approximately 235 tonnes of methane annually—equivalent to the climate impact of 10,000 new cars each driving 12,000 kilometers per year. Researchers from the University of Queensland used advanced Quantum Gas LiDAR technology to conduct the first long-term methane emission measurements from such a borehole, which is about 100 meters deep and located in the Surat Basin. The borehole, drilled around twenty years ago and covered by dirt, was detected partly due to the absence of grass growth around it, indicating leakage. This discovery raises concerns that thousands of similar abandoned boreholes across Queensland—estimated at around 130,000—may also be leaking methane, though the extent and sealing quality of these holes remain largely unknown. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a warming effect approximately 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide over 20 years, making these emissions a significant but
energymethane-emissionscoal-boreholesgreenhouse-gasesclimate-impactLiDAR-technologyenvironmental-monitoringScientists Hack Microbes to Identify Environmental Sources of Methane - CleanTechnica
Researchers at UC Berkeley have used CRISPR gene-editing technology to manipulate a key enzyme in methane-producing microbes (methanogens) to better understand how these microbes influence the isotopic composition of methane. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is largely produced by microbes in oxygen-free environments such as wetlands, rice fields, landfills, and animal guts. Identifying the precise environmental sources of methane has been challenging because scientists rely on isotopic signatures—variations in the ratios of carbon and hydrogen isotopes—to trace methane origins. This study reveals that the activity of the microbial enzyme significantly affects these isotopic fingerprints, complicating efforts to accurately attribute methane emissions to specific sources. The findings suggest that current methods for quantifying methane sources may have large uncertainties, sometimes within tens of percent, limiting the ability to track changes over time or prioritize mitigation efforts effectively. By integrating molecular biology with isotope biogeochemistry, the researchers provide new insights into how methanogen biology controls methane’s isotopic signature.
energymethane-emissionsmicrobial-methane-productiongreenhouse-gasesenvironmental-scienceCRISPRisotope-analysisBurgers Bending Your Budget? Blame It On Climate Change - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica explains that the rising cost of burgers and red meat is closely linked to climate change and its impact on agriculture. Climate change has led to more extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, including prolonged droughts and intense rainfall, which disrupt pasture availability for cattle ranchers. As a result, ranchers face higher feed costs, sometimes sourcing feed from hundreds of miles away, and are forced to reduce herd sizes by sending cattle to slaughter earlier. This reduction in cattle supply, combined with increased costs for feed, equipment, and higher interest rates, has driven beef prices to record highs, with ground beef surpassing $6 per pound and steaks nearing $11.50 per pound. The article highlights methane emissions from cows as a significant contributor to greenhouse gases, exacerbating global warming and further intensifying climate impacts. This creates a feedback loop where climate change worsens conditions for cattle ranching, which in turn affects meat prices. The phenomenon of rising consumer costs driven by climate-related factors is termed
energyclimate-changegreenhouse-gasesmethane-emissionsagriculturesustainabilityenvironmental-impactCan Ship Design Stop Methane Emissions In Shallow Waters? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a recent study from Communications Earth & Environment that highlights how ship traffic, particularly vessels traveling faster than 12 knots with hull drafts deeper than nine meters, can trigger significant methane emissions from organic-rich seabed sediments in shallow waters like Russia’s Neva Bay. This occurs due to the "squat effect," where the ship’s hull displaces water and creates a pressure drop beneath the vessel, causing methane bubbles trapped in sediments to be released into the atmosphere. The phenomenon is especially pronounced during warmer summer months when microbial activity increases methane production in sediments, and physical disturbances from ship movement prevent methane-consuming bacteria from oxidizing the gas effectively. While reducing ship speeds is a straightforward way to mitigate these emissions, the article explores alternative solutions involving ship design and propulsion technologies. Traditional large ferries with deep hull drafts and diesel engines connected to large propellers exacerbate the problem by generating significant pressure changes in shallow waters. Potential design improvements could focus on hull shapes and propulsion methods that minimize pressure fluctuations and sediment
energymethane-emissionsship-designhull-squat-effectpropulsion-technologymarine-engineeringenvironmental-impactDairy Products Are High Carbon - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights the significant greenhouse gas emissions associated with dairy production. Dairy cows, as ruminants, produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas—through enteric fermentation, while their manure and urine release nitrous oxide, another powerful greenhouse gas. Additional emissions arise from fossil fuel use in growing cattle feed, fertilizer production, land conversion for pasture, and energy-intensive processes involved in dairy product manufacturing and distribution. Methane from cattle is particularly impactful, being 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide in warming the atmosphere, despite its shorter atmospheric lifespan. Beyond direct emissions, the article points out inefficiencies and waste in the dairy supply chain, such as milk that is produced but not consumed, which decomposes and generates methane. Dairy products like ice cream and cheese further contribute to carbon emissions due to energy-intensive processing and storage, often relying on fossil-fuel-based electricity. Cheese, especially hard varieties, has a notably high carbon footprint—almost double that of chicken per unit of protein—because
energygreenhouse-gasesmethane-emissionsdairy-industrycarbon-footprintfossil-fuelsclimate-changeLamb Is High Carbon Too? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights that lamb, like beef, is a high-carbon animal-based food primarily due to methane emissions from ruminant digestion. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, accounts for about half of the emissions associated with lamb and beef production. Additional carbon emissions arise from land use changes, such as converting wild land and peat soils for agriculture, growing animal feed, pasture management, and the energy-intensive processes of slaughter, processing, and refrigeration. Even small amounts of meat waste contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Compared to lamb and beef, other animal products like pork, chicken, eggs, and dairy have lower carbon footprints. Beyond environmental concerns, the article challenges the nutritional necessity of eating lamb, noting that plant-based foods can provide complete proteins with all essential amino acids, debunking the myth that animal foods are uniquely complete. It also explores the misconception linking pleasure from eating indulgent foods to happiness. Neuroscientific research cited in the article shows that true happiness depends more on
energygreenhouse-gasesmethane-emissionscarbon-footprintsustainable-agricultureclimate-changefood-productionSlow Down, Cool Down: Reducing Methane From Coastal Shipping - CleanTechnica
The article highlights a recently recognized source of methane emissions linked to large ships operating in shallow coastal waters. Research shows that vessels with draughts over nine meters traveling faster than 12 knots can disturb organic-rich seabed sediments, releasing methane—a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 82.5 times that of CO₂ over 20 years. Field measurements near Neva Bay, Russia, confirmed measurable methane release caused by such ship activity. While oceanic cargo ships mostly transit deep waters and thus generate negligible methane emissions from sediment disturbance, large coastal vessels like cruise ships, roll-on/roll-off (roro), and ropax ferries frequently operate in shallow, sediment-rich zones, making their methane emissions more significant. The article also notes that dredging in major ports disturbs methane-rich sediments, causing episodic methane releases, but these events are infrequent and minor compared to the overall maritime carbon footprint. Although methane emissions from coastal shipping and dredging are currently small relative to the billion
energymethane-emissionscoastal-shippinggreenhouse-gasesclimate-impactmaritime-pollutionsediment-disturbanceBeef Is The Highest Carbon Food? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica addresses the misconception that individual actions to reduce carbon footprints are insignificant compared to emissions from fossil fuel corporations. It emphasizes that with a global population of about 8 billion people—expected to grow by 1.4 billion in 20 years—collective individual behaviors, including the use of fossil fuel products and food choices, significantly impact climate change. Among various foods, beef has the highest carbon footprint, largely due to the methane emissions from cattle digestion and manure, nitrous oxide release, and the extensive land use changes required for cattle grazing and feed production. Cattle farming contributes to environmental degradation beyond greenhouse gas emissions. Large-scale cattle operations lead to deforestation, particularly in South America’s Amazon region, where cattle ranching accounts for 80% of deforestation. This deforestation releases stored carbon and destroys wild habitats. Additionally, runoff from cattle manure contaminates waterways, contributing to the creation of dead zones such as the Gulf of Mexico’s hypoxic zone, which kills
energyclimate-changecarbon-footprintgreenhouse-gasesmethane-emissionsagriculture-impactenvironmental-sustainabilityAre There Practical Solutions To Methane Emissions From Cattle? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the significant issue of methane emissions from cattle, particularly those raised on factory farms in the US. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 21 to 26 times greater than carbon dioxide, is produced naturally during the digestive process of ruminant animals like cows. This enteric methane accounts for 17% of global methane emissions and 3.3% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing methane emissions is critical to limiting global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, a target endorsed by over 150 countries in the 2021 Global Methane Pledge aiming for a 30% reduction by 2030. While eliminating beef consumption would be the simplest solution, it is unrealistic for the general population, so practical mitigation strategies focus on reducing emissions from livestock production. One promising approach centers on altering cattle diets, especially in factory farms where cows are often fed inexpensive, unsustainable feeds like corn and soy, including dried distillers grains (
energymethane-emissionsgreenhouse-gasesclimate-changeagriculturesustainabilitylivestock-managementMethane Pollution Has Cheap, Effective Solutions That Aren’t Being Used
The article highlights methane as a potent greenhouse gas that, despite being odorless and colorless, significantly contributes to global warming—trapping up to 84 times more heat than carbon dioxide over a short timeframe. Methane emissions, largely driven by human activities such as energy production and cattle farming, account for nearly a third of the global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution. Recognizing its impact, over 100 countries pledged in 2021 to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. However, major emitters like Russia and China have not committed, and global methane emissions from energy production continue to rise, partly due to inadequate measurement and reporting. The article also underscores the challenges in tracking methane emissions accurately, as measurement-based data is scarce and emissions often go underreported. Methane leaks occur throughout the natural gas lifecycle—from drilling and transportation to consumption—and from coal mining, which releases even more methane than natural gas production. Despite the availability of low
energymethane-emissionsclimate-changenatural-gasfossil-fuelsenvironmental-monitoringemission-reductionHelium & Hot Air: Saskatchewan’s Greenwashing Sustainability Claims - CleanTechnica
The article critiques Saskatchewan’s government for promoting misleading sustainability claims, particularly highlighting an ad campaign that touts the province as a leader in environmental stewardship. A key example is the province’s helium production being equated to planting billions of trees. While Saskatchewan’s helium extraction produces relatively low greenhouse gas emissions compared to global standards—due to a unique geological occurrence where helium is found alongside nitrogen rather than methane—this advantage is a matter of geological luck rather than deliberate environmental policy. The province is essentially marketing this natural quirk as a conscious sustainability achievement, despite continuing significant emissions from oil and gas extraction, which accounts for about 30% of its greenhouse gases. The article further contextualizes Saskatchewan’s overall environmental impact, noting that it remains one of Canada’s highest per-capita emitters of greenhouse gases, with roughly 74 million tons of CO2 equivalent emitted in 2023—about six times the per-capita emissions of Ontario or Quebec. Besides oil and gas, major emission sources include coal and natural
energyhelium-extractionsustainabilitygreenhouse-gas-emissionsmethane-emissionsnatural-gasenvironmental-policyDairy digesters slash methane emissions by 80% on California farm
A recent University of California, Riverside study demonstrates that sealed dairy digesters can reduce methane emissions from manure by approximately 80% on a California dairy farm. Methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over 20 years, is a significant contributor to global warming, with California dairy farms being major sources due to manure management. The study involved detailed atmospheric methane measurements before and after installing a digester at a Tulare County family-run dairy, revealing substantial emission reductions after addressing initial system leaks through collaboration between scientists, the system operator, and the farmer. Dairy digesters work by covering manure pits with gas-tight membranes that trap methane produced during anaerobic decomposition. The captured methane is then cleaned and repurposed as fuel, often powering trucks that would otherwise use diesel. While highly effective, digesters have limitations: they can leak if not properly maintained, do not reduce other pollutants like ammonia or fine particles, and require significant investment and regulatory permits, making them less feasible
energymethane-emissionsdairy-digestersrenewable-energygreenhouse-gas-reductionbioenergysustainable-agricultureHidden Super-Emitters: The Climate Imperative Of Addressing Abandoned Fossil Fuel Infrastructure - CleanTechnica
energyclimate-changemethane-emissionsfossil-fuelsenvironmental-impactemissions-reductionregulatory-frameworks