Methane levels rise faster than ever, warns Finnish Meteorological Institute

The concentration of methane in the atmosphere is rising at an unprecedented pace, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). This information is based on a recent study by the Global Carbon Project research community, which included contributions from FMI scientists. Measurements of atmospheric methane levels have been conducted for 38 years, and the increase from 2020 to 2022 was more rapid than ever recorded.

Aki Tsuruta, a senior researcher at the FMI, noted that methane emissions attributed to human activity are now 20% higher than two decades ago. He highlighted that this trend aligns with the most pessimistic scenarios put forth by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If global temperatures rise as outlined in these scenarios, the average temperature on Earth could exceed three degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

Methane is one of the most detrimental greenhouse gases concerning climate change. It traps heat in the atmosphere, preventing solar thermal radiation from escaping into space. Over a 20-year period, methane absorbs heat more than 80 times as effectively as carbon dioxide, though its lifespan in the atmosphere is only about ten years. Thus, reducing methane emissions can quickly mitigate warming effects.

At least two-thirds of global methane emissions arise from human activities. In Finland, the production of methane primarily originates from waste management, including landfills and composting of biodegradable waste, as well as agriculture and fossil fuel production, with methane released from cattle belching and intestinal gases.

From 2000 to 2020, global methane emissions from waste management rose by 24%, emissions from cattle and other ruminants grew by 14%, and those from fossil fuels increased by 18-28%. A total of 158 countries, including Finland, have committed to reducing methane emissions by 30% by the year 2030. However, Tsuruta warns that if current trends continue, achieving this goal will be at risk.