Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Methane Emissions
LATEST MEASUREMENT:
- December 2023
- 1932 ppb
Key Takeaway:
Methane is a powerful heat-trapping gas. An estimated 60% of today’s methane emissions are the result of human activities.
Methane Basics
Methane (CH4) is a powerful greenhouse gas, and is the second-largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide (CO2). A molecule of methane traps more heat than a molecule of CO2, but methane has a relatively short lifespan of 7 to 12 years in the atmosphere, while CO2 can persist for hundreds of years or more.
Methane comes from both natural sources and human activities. An estimated 60% of today’s methane emissions are the result of human activities. The largest sources of methane are agriculture, fossil fuels, and decomposition of landfill waste. Natural processes account for 40% of methane emissions, with wetlands being the largest natural source. (Learn more about the Global Methane Budget.)
The concentration of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled over the past 200 years. Scientists estimate that this increase is responsible for 20 to 30% of climate warming since the Industrial Revolution (which began in 1750).
Tracking Methane
Although it’s relatively simple to measure the amount of methane in the atmosphere, it’s harder to pinpoint where it’s coming from. NASA scientists are using several methods to track methane emissions.
One tool that NASA uses is the Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation, or AVIRIS-NG. This instrument, which gets mounted onto research planes, measures light that is reflected off Earth’s surface. Methane absorbs some of this reflected light. By measuring the exact wavelengths of light that are absorbed, the AVIRIS-NG instrument can determine the amount of greenhouse gases present.
NASA added the Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) instrument to the International Space Station in 2022. Though built principally to study dust storms and sources, researchers found that it could also detect large methane sources, known as “super-emitters.”
These aircraft and satellite instruments are finding methane rising from oil and gas production, pipelines, refineries, landfills, and animal agriculture. In some cases, these measurements have led to leaks being fixed, including suburban gas leaks and faulty equipment in oil and gas fields.
The Arctic is a source of natural methane from wetlands, lakes, and thawing permafrost. Although a warming climate could change these emissions, scientists do not yet think it will drive a major increase. To this end, NASA’s Arctic Boreal and Vulnerability Experiment, or ABoVE, has been measuring methane coming from natural sources like thawing permafrost in Alaska and Canada.
Data Notes and Sources
- NOAA’s methane data comes from a globally-distributed network of air sampling sites. https://gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends_ch4/
- Ice core data are from Law Dome (Antarctica) and Summit (Greenland) ice cores, from Etheridge, D.M., L.P. Steele, R.J. Francey, and R.L. Langenfelds, Atmospheric methane between 1000 AD and present: Evidence of anthropogenic emissions and climatic variability. Journal of Geophysical Research, 103, D13, 15,979-15,993, 1998.
- Data archived at the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center
https://cdiac.ess-dive.lbl.gov/trends/atm_meth/lawdome_meth.htm
Missions That Observe Methane
- Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT)
- Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer – Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG)
- Arctic Boreal and Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE)
- GeoCarb (Launch date: 2024)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 13.2: Number of countries with integrated policies, strategies, and plans for climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- Indicator for SDG 15.1: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator: Number of countries with integrated policies, strategies, and plans for climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | Indicator: Proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. |
The article addresses the issues related to methane emissions and their impact on climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. By reducing methane emissions, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and protect terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
SDG 13: Climate Action is directly connected to the issue of methane emissions and climate warming. Target 13.2 focuses on integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. This target aims to ensure that countries take effective actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.
SDG 15: Life on Land is also relevant as methane emissions can have negative impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Target 15.1 emphasizes the need to conserve, restore, and sustainably use terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. By reducing methane emissions, we can protect these ecosystems from the harmful effects of climate change.
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For SDG 13.2, the indicator is the number of countries with integrated policies, strategies, and plans for climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. This indicator reflects the extent to which countries are taking concrete actions to address methane emissions and climate change.
For SDG 15.1, the indicator is the proportion of important sites for terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity that are covered by protected areas, by ecosystem type. This indicator measures the extent to which terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems are being conserved and protected, including from the impacts of methane emissions.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: climate.nasa.gov
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