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The levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane, the two greenhouse gases most responsible for rising global temperatures, reached historic highs last year, according to an announcement from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Friday.
The rise in heat-trapping gasses from January to December of 2023 was not quite as high as record increases seen in recent years, but NOAA says they are in line with steep increases observed over the past decade. 2023 saw the third-largest increase in CO2 emissions in 65 years of record keeping, with all three of the largest increases occurring in the past decade.
About 15 percent of energy-related emissions are directly attributable to oil and gas production. Methane, which is about 30 times more powerful than CO2 at trapping heat, is released during the process of drilling for natural gas and flaring excess methane. In addition to releasing greenhouse gases, companies are leaving behind toxic messes that have negative impacts on drinking water, air quality, and wildlife.
Voters in the West want that to change—90 percent of Western voters think oil and gas companies should pay for the cleanup and restoration costs after oil and gas drilling is finished.
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Everywhere I’ve ever moved, it never felt like home. My heart’s always been here.”
