Methane Emissions Reach Record Highs, Driven Largely by Human Activity

New research shows atmospheric methane concentrations are rising faster than ever, posing a critical challenge to climate goals.

Global methane emissions have surged, with human activities responsible for over two-thirds of the total.
Methane traps 80 times more heat than CO2 in the first two decades after reaching the atmosphere.
Top contributors to methane emissions are agriculture, fossil fuels, and waste management.
Efforts to cut methane emissions are underway, but recent findings indicate far more aggressive action is needed.
Unchecked methane emissions could result in up to 3°C of warming by 2100.