New report published in the Guardian shows that massive leaks of methane, mostly from fossil fuel extraction, put the globe at imminent risk of climate catastrophe. That’s because methane is such a potent greenhouse gas. There are over 1,000 of these leaks, and just one of them resulted in ongoing emissions equivalent to that of 67 million running cars.
In addition, the report identifies 55 “methane bombs,” sites where planned future fossil fuel extraction will likely result in methane emissions sufficient to wipe out any chance of meeting the goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees C.
Methane emissions cause 25% of global heating today and there has been a “scary” surge since 2007, according to scientists. This acceleration may be the biggest threat to keeping below 1.5C of global heating and seriously risks triggering catastrophic climate tipping points, researchers say.
Moreover, it appears that methane emissions cause a vicious circle in which the resulting warming enables microbes to increase their activity breaking down organic matter, resulting in...more methane.
But that bad news is also good news if we act quickly and decisively.
Fast action would dramatically slow global heating as methane is short-lived in the atmosphere. An emissions cut of 45% by 2030, which the UN says is possible, would prevent 0.3C of temperature rise. Methane emissions therefore present both a grave threat to humanity, but also a golden opportunity to decisively act on the climate crisis.
Given the low cost and immediate massive benefits of addressing this, it would be absolutely insane not to make it a top priority and allocate whatever resources are required to tamp down methane emissions now. The Guardian report indicates that efforts are being made, but — of course — much more could be done.
I hope you’ll click through and read the entire piece, not only because it’s excellent reporting and research, but because it once again makes the point that, unless we all start making climate our top priority, we will soon reach the kind of “tipping points” where none of our other priorities are going to matter at all. Think about the progressive priorities we fight for: universal health care, economic and social justice, women’s rights, etc. These are the priorities that simply will not matter at all in the world that — according to the clear and unequivocal conclusion of scientists — awaits us if we fail to act decisively now on climate.
Time is of the essence. Yet according to polling, climate still ranks very low on rankings of our priorities. Granted, it’s the Republican voters who just don’t consider it important (68% of progressives vs 9% of Republicans in this poll). But evidence seems to show that even among blue voters, other issues wind up mattering more. I hope reports like this can help change that by reinforcing the message that saving the planet is a battle we can still win. If there’s a will...there’s a way.