Why methane matters

Abstract

By the end of this century, global average temperatures are estimated to increase between 1.5°C and 4.5°C relative to the 1880s. 1 As the climate changes, there is a greater likelihood of extreme weather events, crop shortages, and sea level rise as a result of the collapse of the Antarctic ice sheet. 2 While most people have heard about the ability of carbon dioxide to trap heat in the atmosphere, the role of methane as a significant contributor to climate change is less well known. Major sources of human caused methane emissions include the decomposition of waste in landfills, livestock production, and fossil fuels. 3 How we interpret methane's impact on climate change depends on whether we consider climatic impacts in the short or long term.