Definition of Methane
What Is Methane?
Methane (CH4), is a powerful greenhouse gas that is more than 20 times more potent in trapping gas within the earth’s atmosphere than carbon dioxide. This gas stays in the atmosphere for 9-15 years and because it is so much more effective at trapping heat, it has a significant impact on global climate change.
Methane is emitted through a number of natural processes in the environment including wetland bacterial activity, termite activity, methane from oceans, rivers and estuaries, wildfires, and wild animals. However, over 50% of the methane that is now being emitted into the atmosphere comes directly from human activities.[1] These include:
- Enteric fermentation digestive processes from cattle, buffalo, goats, camels, and sheep
- Wastewater treatment
- Landfill gas
- Coal mining
- Petroleum systems and petrochemical production
- Combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas
- Rice cultivation
- Composting of organic waste
- Iron and steel production
Methane is a renewable resource, and if properly captured and stored can be used to fuel many of our modern day processes such as running vehicles, providing electricity, and warming homes.
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