The climate and clean air coalition CCAC is warning on the dangers of methane emissions, calling for enhanced advocacy on its effects.
Chair of the Climate and Clean air Coalition Scientific advisory panel and Professor of Earth Science at the Duke University’s Nicholas school of environment, Drew Shindell says countries must build public awareness on the dangers of methane emissions as a protection to those suffering from climate change and air pollution now, as well as protect future generations.
“Methane gas emissions have contributed to about half of the warming we are experiencing today,
Drew Shindell.
He is quoted in a survey report commissioned by Global Methane Hub in 17 countries that indicates that majority of citizens support climate action and also want the reduction of methane emissions in their respective countries.
“Methane gas emissions have contributed to about half of the warming we are experiencing today, causing harm to communities around the globe. As policymakers and other actors look for solutions to cool the planet following the hottest year on record, reducing methane by 45 percent is crucial to lowering warming by 0.3 degrees celsius by 2040, putting us on a path to a healthy future and meeting international climate commitments, ”
Drew Shindell
METHANE EMISSIONS MORE POTENT THAN CO2
The report indicates that methane is 86 times more lethal than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas using a 20 year time scale, and 28 times over a 100 year time scale.
It shows that methane is the 2nd largest driver of climate change after carbon dioxide, however its reduction has a greater impact on the earths temperatures as it helps cool it faster than carbon dioxide reduction does.
Reports indicate that methane as a greenhouse gas emission is increasing faster than at any other time since record keeping began in 1980s.
This was contained in an online survey report commissioned by Global Methane Hub across six continents between November 14th and December 11th 2023.
Participating countries were Australia, Brazil,Canada,Chile,China, Germany,India,Italy,Kenya,Mexico,Nigeria,Norway,Senegal,South Korea,Tanzania,the United Kingdom and the United States. Over 12000 citizens in these countries were poled representing about 750 from each country.
GLOBAL TEMPERATURES RISING
A 10 year summary of the emission gap report by the United Nations Environment Program UNEP reveals intensified production of greenhouse gas emissions from human activity.
The report shows that the earth is heating up fast. Experts have warned of warmer atmosphere,warmer and more acidic oceans, higher sea levels and larger changes in the weather.
Global warming is also increasing water shortage in already water stressed regions according to the survey by global methane hub.
World leaders at the last climate conference in Dubai COP28 committed to reduce emissions by cutting down on fossil fuels, tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling the global rate of energy efficiency by 2030.
CLIMATE AND CLEAN AIR COALITION
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition CACC is a conglomerate convened by UNEP. It has representatives from 160 governments, intergovernmental organizations and nn governmental organizations. It works to reduce pollutants that trigger climate change and air pollution.
Global methane hub draws philanthropists, experts, non profits and government organisations who pool resources towards interventions to reduce methane emissions and speed up methane mitigation across the world.