Problem
Increase in atmospheric concentration of methane
Other Names:
Environmental hazards from methane Nature:
Methane is released into the atmosphere by a variety of processes, the most prominent being enteric fermentation of plant material in the stomachs of ruminants, release from both natural wetlands and rice fields, biomass burning, coal mining operations and leakage of natural gas during transmission. Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are more than twice as high as they have been for most of the past 160,000 years. Methane traps heat very efficiently, making it one of the greenhouse gases of most concern.
Broader Problems:
Irritant fumesPoisonous gases and vapoursLong-range transboundary air pollutionIncreasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere Narrower Problems:
Methane gas emissions from landfill sitesMethane gas emissions from animal husbandryMethane gas emissions from plants Reduced By:
Destruction of wetland environmentsStrategies:
Reducing atmospheric methane concentrations Subject(s):
Environment → Environment Fundamental Sciences → Organic chemical compounds
Meteorology → Meteorology
Societal Problems → Hazards
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
E: Emanations of other problems Date of last update
03.05.2021 – 01:27 CEST