A new report from the Global Carbon Project found that methane emissions are rising at the fastest rate in recorded history.
Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Scientists sound alarm over growing global methane emissions
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Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Flaring in North Park, Colorado. Photo: WildEarth Guardians ([link removed]) , CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A new report ([link removed]) from the Global Carbon Project found that methane emissions are rising at the fastest rate in recorded history. Global concentrations of methane are now 2.6 times higher than before the industrial era, despite global pledges to limit emissions ([link removed]) . Because methane traps about 30 times more heat than carbon dioxide, the increasing emissions could make it nearly impossible for the world to meet its climate goals.
The report finds ([link removed]) that human-caused methane emissions grew as much as 20 percent between 2000 and 2020 and now account for about 65 percent of global emissions. The increase stems from expanding landfills, livestock production, coal mining, and increased natural gas consumption. The report also notes that human activity and climate change are increasing the amount of methane released by lakes, marshes, Arctic permafrost, and other ecosystems.
While the U.S. is not one of the primary contributors to global methane emissions, the country has still shown a broad increase in emissions. However, efforts are underway to curb these emissions: the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act included a pollution tax on methane emissions ([link removed].) from oil and gas, the EPA announced new federal standards ([link removed]) for methane emissions from oil and gas operations, and the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $4.7 billion ([link removed]) for orphaned well site plugging, remediation and restoration activities.
A silver lining of the report's findings is that since humans are now the main driver of methane emissions, we can also slow or mitigate these emissions. “It’s a huge lever that we have for buying time,” said Evan Sherwin ([link removed]) , a research scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. “If we take large-scale efforts to reduce methane emissions, we could buy ourselves decades of time to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”
** Quick hits
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Dropped Cheetos bag has ‘world-changing’ impact on Carlsbad Caverns ecosystem
Washington Post ([link removed]) | The Guardian ([link removed]) | CNN ([link removed]) | Sacramento Bee ([link removed])
Human activity now fuels two-thirds of global methane emissions, report finds
Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | Washington Post ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Bitterroot National Forest clearcutting project violates federal law, says new lawsuit
Daily Montanan ([link removed])
Forest Service finds 'no significant impact' of proposed New Mexico power line
Santa Fe New Mexican ([link removed])
Zion National Park rolls out fully electric shuttle bus fleet
National Parks Traveler ([link removed]) | KUER ([link removed]) | KTNV ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Forest Service to proceed with plan requiring permits to visit popular Colorado lakes
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel ([link removed]) | Denver Post ([link removed])
How a rancher’s bulldozing project cost Utah taxpayers
Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Interior, USDA dole out millions for wildfire defense and response
E&E News ([link removed]) | Department of the Interior ([link removed]) [press release] | U.S. Forest Service ([link removed]) [press release]
** Quote of the day
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”
This place was never owned by anyone, never claimed. It's always been here for the people, and that's still the case. That's the way we need to keep thinking about things, to keep understanding how this impacts all of us and why it's worth protecting.”
—Roland Maldonado, Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians Tribal Chairman, KUER ([link removed])
** Picture This
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[link removed]
@usinterior ([link removed])
The majestic South Fork of the Snake River flows 66 miles across southeastern Idaho through high mountain valleys, rugged canyons and broad flood plains.
Located near some of the world’s best-known recreation areas, the South Fork is home to 100+ bird species, moose and deer. In autumn, the landscape turns the cottonwood gallery forest ablaze in yellows!
Photo by Jessica Gottlieb / @mypubliclands
#Idaho #usinterior #mypubliclands
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