Browsing: Methane

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4), and it plays a significant role in Earth’s climate system. Although it is present in the atmosphere in much smaller concentrations than carbon dioxide, methane is over 25 times more effective at trapping heat over a 100-year period. It is released through both natural processes, such as wetlands and geological seeps, and human activities, including agriculture (especially livestock), fossil fuel extraction, and waste management. Scientists closely monitor methane levels because even modest increases can have outsized effects on global warming, making it a key target in climate mitigation strategies.