SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Methane flaring on the Pawnee Natural Grassland.
(Photo: WildEarth Guardians/flickr/cc)
Methane-Spewing U.S. Linked to Global Surge in Potent Greenhouse Gas
New study shows U.S. may be responsible for up to '60% of the global growth of atmospheric methane seen in the past decade'
Feb 17, 2016
New research has linked the United States to the massive rise in global methane emissions.
Bobby Magill reported on the Harvard University study at Climate Central on Tuesday.
Using satellite data, the researchers found that methane emissions in the country rose over 30% from 2002 to 2014. That increase "could account for 30-60% of the global growth of atmospheric methane seen in the past decade," the study's abstract states.
Though the study does not attribute the increase in the U.S. to a particular source, Magill notes that the rise coincided with the fracking boom.
"I'd say the biggest takeaway is that there is more we--the U.S.--could be doing to reduce our methane emissions to combat climate change," study lead author Alex Turner told Climate Central.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that methane, which the IPCC says is 84 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, was responsible for about 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in 2013. But previous studies have also found far higher levels of methane emissions than the agency's estimates, including a 2015 study by Robert Howarth, Cornell's David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology.
"Methane emissions make it a disastrous idea to consider shale gas as a bridge fuel, letting society continue to use fossil fuels over the next few decades," Howarth said. "Rather, we must move as quickly as possible away from all fossil fuels--shale gas, conventional natural gas, coal and oil--and toward a truly sustainable energy future using 21st-century technologies and wind and solar power."
The new study comes as the Obama administration continues to target methane emissions, with the Interior Department unveiling a new proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
climate changeenvironmentenvironmental protection agencyfossil fuelsfrackinggreenhouse gas emissionsinterior departmentmethaneobama administrationpublic landsrobert howarthunited states
New research has linked the United States to the massive rise in global methane emissions.
Bobby Magill reported on the Harvard University study at Climate Central on Tuesday.
Using satellite data, the researchers found that methane emissions in the country rose over 30% from 2002 to 2014. That increase "could account for 30-60% of the global growth of atmospheric methane seen in the past decade," the study's abstract states.
Though the study does not attribute the increase in the U.S. to a particular source, Magill notes that the rise coincided with the fracking boom.
"I'd say the biggest takeaway is that there is more we--the U.S.--could be doing to reduce our methane emissions to combat climate change," study lead author Alex Turner told Climate Central.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that methane, which the IPCC says is 84 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, was responsible for about 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in 2013. But previous studies have also found far higher levels of methane emissions than the agency's estimates, including a 2015 study by Robert Howarth, Cornell's David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology.
"Methane emissions make it a disastrous idea to consider shale gas as a bridge fuel, letting society continue to use fossil fuels over the next few decades," Howarth said. "Rather, we must move as quickly as possible away from all fossil fuels--shale gas, conventional natural gas, coal and oil--and toward a truly sustainable energy future using 21st-century technologies and wind and solar power."
The new study comes as the Obama administration continues to target methane emissions, with the Interior Department unveiling a new proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
New research has linked the United States to the massive rise in global methane emissions.
Bobby Magill reported on the Harvard University study at Climate Central on Tuesday.
Using satellite data, the researchers found that methane emissions in the country rose over 30% from 2002 to 2014. That increase "could account for 30-60% of the global growth of atmospheric methane seen in the past decade," the study's abstract states.
Though the study does not attribute the increase in the U.S. to a particular source, Magill notes that the rise coincided with the fracking boom.
"I'd say the biggest takeaway is that there is more we--the U.S.--could be doing to reduce our methane emissions to combat climate change," study lead author Alex Turner told Climate Central.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that methane, which the IPCC says is 84 times as potent as carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, was responsible for about 10% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in 2013. But previous studies have also found far higher levels of methane emissions than the agency's estimates, including a 2015 study by Robert Howarth, Cornell's David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology and Environmental Biology.
"Methane emissions make it a disastrous idea to consider shale gas as a bridge fuel, letting society continue to use fossil fuels over the next few decades," Howarth said. "Rather, we must move as quickly as possible away from all fossil fuels--shale gas, conventional natural gas, coal and oil--and toward a truly sustainable energy future using 21st-century technologies and wind and solar power."
The new study comes as the Obama administration continues to target methane emissions, with the Interior Department unveiling a new proposal to cut greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel extraction on public lands.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.