Earth’s second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2), methane is comparatively short-lived. Even so, methane plays a much greater role in warming the planet. Over a 100-year period, methane is
28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the earth. Over 20 years, that comparison jumps to approximately
80 times.
As methane is emitted into the air, it reacts in several hazardous ways. For one, methane primarily leaves the atmosphere through oxidization, forming water vapor and carbon dioxide. So, not only does methane contribute to global warming directly but also, indirectly through the release of carbon dioxide.
Additionally, during the oxidization process, methane reacts with hydroxyl radicals (OH). These naturally occurring molecules act as a “detergent,” cleaning methane and many other pollutants from the air. Thus, methane reduces the amount of hydroxyl radicals available to remove other types of air pollutants.
Methane also contributes to the
forming of the ozone,
decreasing air quality and leading to various health issues in animals, premature human deaths, and reduced crop yields.
Ultimately, reducing the amount of methane in the atmosphere will lessen these effects. By focusing on anthropogenic, or man-made, methane emissions alone, we can
decrease the rate of global warming considerably.