Methane's Impact: Air Pollution And Climate Change

Methane is a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change. While it is less abundant in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, it is much more effective at retaining heat, with 80 times more warming power than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Methane's impact on the atmosphere is estimated to account for 20-30% of climate warming since the Industrial Revolution. It is a major driver of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and torrential rains, which have detrimental effects on human health and well-being. Methane also plays a crucial role in the formation of ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant that irritates the airways, triggers asthma attacks, and increases the risk of developing respiratory conditions. The sources of methane pollution are diverse, including human activities such as livestock farming, fossil fuel exploitation, and waste management, as well as natural sources like wetlands and volcanoes. Addressing methane emissions is crucial for mitigating climate change and improving air quality, with potential benefits including reduced global warming, strengthened food security, and improved public health outcomes.

Methane's impact on climate change

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that has a significant impact on global warming and climate change. It is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices, land use, and the decay of organic waste in landfills. While methane breaks down more quickly than carbon dioxide, it traps 80 times more heat and has accounted for roughly 30% of climate change since pre-industrial times.

The atmospheric concentration of methane is increasing faster now than at any time since the 1980s. This rise in atmospheric concentrations has alarming consequences for climate change and air quality. Methane contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate pollution, which have negative impacts on human health. Exposure to ozone and particulate pollution can damage airways, aggravate lung diseases, cause asthma attacks, and increase the risk of strokes and cardiovascular issues.

The oil and gas industry is a major source of methane emissions, with the US industry alone emitting at least 13 million metric tons of methane per year. However, methane emissions also come from a variety of other sectors, including agriculture and waste management. Reducing methane emissions across these sectors is crucial for mitigating climate change and improving air quality.

Addressing the three main sources of methane pollution, as identified by atmospheric scientist Ilissa Ocko, could dramatically slow down the rate of global warming within years. The Global Methane Pledge, an international collaboration, is working to reduce methane emissions by mobilizing funding and implementing strategies across various sectors. By acting now to cut methane emissions, we can reduce the rate of global warming and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.

Methane's effect on human health

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant that affects human health in several ways. Firstly, it contributes to climate change, which has been recognised as a health emergency. By trapping heat and accelerating global warming, methane exacerbates extreme weather events such as heatwaves, storms, droughts, and flooding. These events can cause physical injuries, stress, and illnesses, as well as create conditions for more frequent and severe wildfires, which produce dangerous smoke.

Secondly, methane is a precursor to the formation of tropospheric ozone, a toxic air pollutant. Ozone is responsible for approximately one million premature respiratory-related deaths globally. Exposure to ozone pollutes the airways, aggravates lung diseases, triggers asthma attacks, increases the risk of cardiovascular issues and strokes, and is associated with higher rates of preterm birth.

Thirdly, the impact of methane on the climate and the formation of ground-level ozone contributes to poor air quality and crop losses, affecting food security. This, in turn, can lead to higher medical costs, lost productivity, and greater pressure on health systems.

Communities living and working near oil and gas operations, landfills, and agricultural facilities are particularly vulnerable to the toxic pollutants emitted alongside methane, including VOCs. However, it is important to note that methane has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime, and reducing methane emissions can provide near-term benefits for the climate and human health. Strategies such as improved livestock feeding practices, waste management solutions, and preventing gas leakage in the fossil fuel industry can significantly curb methane emissions and mitigate these health risks.

Sources of methane pollution

Methane (CH4) is a hydrocarbon and a primary component of natural gas. It is a greenhouse gas, so its presence in the atmosphere affects the earth's temperature and climate system. Methane is emitted from a variety of anthropogenic (human-influenced) and natural sources.

According to NASA, about 30% of methane emissions are produced by wetlands, including ponds, lakes, and rivers. Another 20% is produced by agriculture, due to a combination of livestock, waste management, and rice cultivation. Activities related to oil, gas, and coal extraction release an additional 30%. The remainder of methane emissions come from minor sources such as wildfire, biomass burning, permafrost, termites, dams, and the ocean.

The largest sources of methane emissions from human activities in the United States are oil and gas systems, livestock enteric fermentation, and landfills. In China, a key source of methane emissions is coal production, whereas Russia emits most of its methane from natural gas and oil systems.

Methane is emitted during the extraction and delivery of fossil fuels, often due to gas venting and gas leaks from both active fossil fuel infrastructure and orphan wells. Human consumer waste flows, especially those passing through landfills and wastewater treatment, have grown to become a major source of methane emissions (18%). Plant agriculture, including food and biomass production, is another source (15%), with rice production being the largest single contributor.

Methane mitigation strategies

Methane is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for roughly 30% of climate change since pre-industrial times. It traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide and contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate pollution. Therefore, reducing methane emissions is crucial for improving air quality and mitigating climate change. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Oil and Gas Industry Regulations:

• In 2021, the EPA proposed new rules to mitigate methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, aiming to curb greenhouse gases and combat climate change.
• The UN Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition emphasize the importance of reducing methane emissions from this sector to slow down climate change.

Agricultural Sector:

• The livestock sector contributes significantly to methane emissions. Mitigation strategies include nutritional interventions, such as replacing grass silage with corn silage or using legume silages due to their lower fiber concentration.
• Dietary lipids can also reduce methane emissions, but their effectiveness depends on factors like feed intake and production.
• Other strategies include the use of probiotics, vaccination, and bacteriocins to control methanogens.
• Additionally, source identification and accurate quantification of emissions are crucial for targeting the most cost-effective reduction strategies.

Waste Sector:

• The waste sector, including landfills and sewage facilities, is another source of methane emissions.
• While not extensively discussed, there are opportunities for reducing emissions in this sector, such as through waste management practices and the utilization of new technologies.

New Technologies:

Advancements in technology can play a crucial role in reducing methane emissions. For example, new gas measurement technologies can help identify and quantify emissions, enabling more targeted reduction strategies.

Policy Changes:

• Frameworks for air quality governance should address methane emissions directly, not just tropospheric ozone.
• Policies should aim to accelerate the mitigation of methane emissions globally and support the goals of agreements like the Paris Agreement of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Public Health Considerations:

Methane mitigation strategies should also consider public health. Reducing methane emissions can improve air quality, strengthen food security, and create jobs, benefiting communities living near oil, gas, and agricultural operations.

The role of methane in the oil and gas industry

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that traps more heat than carbon dioxide (CO2) and contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant. It is released into the atmosphere through both natural sources and human activity. The oil and gas industry is a significant contributor to global methane emissions, accounting for around a quarter of methane emissions from human activity.

In the oil and gas industry, methane emissions occur during all phases of drilling and production and sometimes even after a well has ceased production. Improperly plugged wells can emit large volumes of methane and other hazardous air pollutants. The largest sources of methane emissions in this industry are venting, flaring, and fugitive emissions. Venting refers to the release of methane gas into the atmosphere, while flaring involves burning the gas. Fugitive emissions refer to unintended leaks during the extraction, production, processing, and transportation of oil and gas.

The oil and gas industry faces challenges in reducing methane emissions due to economic factors and infrastructure limitations. For example, natural gas, which is primarily composed of methane, is often a byproduct of oil extraction. If it is uneconomical to use or sell this gas due to factors such as insufficient pipeline infrastructure, developers may opt to burn or vent it. However, new and improved technologies offer solutions to reduce or eliminate venting and flaring, such as gas injection and on-site power generation. These technologies can be implemented at low or negative costs and help improve the precision of methane emission measurements.

Regulatory pressure and corporate targets are driving progress in methane emission reduction in the oil and gas industry. The United States, Canada, and Europe have implemented stringent regulations regarding methane emissions. Additionally, initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge, signed by over 100 countries, aim to cut collective methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels. Within the industry, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative has set a target for companies to lower the 'methane intensity' of their operations. These efforts are crucial in mitigating climate change and improving air quality, with potential health benefits for communities living near oil and gas operations.

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