Global temperatures have been exceeding the 1.5C heating limit set by the Paris climate agreement for two years, with devastating consequences looming if irreversible tipping points are triggered.
The biggest worry is that further warming could lead to catastrophic outcomes such as the widespread drying of the Amazon or the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. Minimizing and reversing this overshoot must be a priority, but shifting to burn less fossil fuel is taking too long.
Some scientists say cutting methane - the powerful greenhouse gas produced by natural and human-made processes - could be the key to slowing near-term warming. Methane has a shorter lifespan than carbon dioxide, but its impact on the atmosphere is 80 times greater. Experts estimate that methane alone has driven at least a third of recent warming.
The good news is that cutting methane can have significant benefits. A global methane reduction of 40% could hold global temperature rises down by 0.3C in the next decade and up to 0.5C by 2050. This would give the planet some much-needed breathing space while transitioning to a clean energy future.
However, taking action on methane is proving difficult due to lack of cooperation from major producers such as China, India, and Russia. The US has been missing its commitment under Biden, but there are moves in some countries like the EU to control methane emissions through stricter regulations.
Many countries have the measures they need to reduce methane emissions quickly and cheaply, including capping off shale gas wells and staunching leaks from oil and gas platforms. Even abandoned coalmines could be a major source of methane if addressed.
The lack of action is partly due to a lack of global agreement on methane reduction targets. While some countries have included measures in their nationally determined contributions, others are still missing out.
However, there are signs that more countries are becoming open to discussions on methane. Experts say binding national plans and enforcing compliance will be crucial if the planet is to slow warming in time.
The biggest worry is that further warming could lead to catastrophic outcomes such as the widespread drying of the Amazon or the melting of the Greenland ice sheet. Minimizing and reversing this overshoot must be a priority, but shifting to burn less fossil fuel is taking too long.
Some scientists say cutting methane - the powerful greenhouse gas produced by natural and human-made processes - could be the key to slowing near-term warming. Methane has a shorter lifespan than carbon dioxide, but its impact on the atmosphere is 80 times greater. Experts estimate that methane alone has driven at least a third of recent warming.
The good news is that cutting methane can have significant benefits. A global methane reduction of 40% could hold global temperature rises down by 0.3C in the next decade and up to 0.5C by 2050. This would give the planet some much-needed breathing space while transitioning to a clean energy future.
However, taking action on methane is proving difficult due to lack of cooperation from major producers such as China, India, and Russia. The US has been missing its commitment under Biden, but there are moves in some countries like the EU to control methane emissions through stricter regulations.
Many countries have the measures they need to reduce methane emissions quickly and cheaply, including capping off shale gas wells and staunching leaks from oil and gas platforms. Even abandoned coalmines could be a major source of methane if addressed.
The lack of action is partly due to a lack of global agreement on methane reduction targets. While some countries have included measures in their nationally determined contributions, others are still missing out.
However, there are signs that more countries are becoming open to discussions on methane. Experts say binding national plans and enforcing compliance will be crucial if the planet is to slow warming in time.
. I mean, we've known for ages that burning fossil fuels was a bad idea, but still no one's doing anything about it! China, India, Russia... all of them are more concerned with their own economies than the future of our planet 
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. If we can get those big polluters to come on board, I really do believe we can still avoid some of the worst effects of climate change. And it's not like it's going to break the bank or anything - just slap some regulations on oil and gas companies and cap off those shale gas wells 
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. We need binding national plans and enforcement if we're going to have any hope of slowing down warming 
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i mean we know it's a big deal but 80 times greater impact than carbon dioxide? that's crazy talk! 
we need to come together as a global community and make some real changes ASAP. china, india, russia - they need to step up their game 
it just goes to show that there are countries out there who care about saving our planet. we can do this, but we gotta work together 
Like who does that?
! I mean, we know CO2 is bad news, but at least it's got some kind of natural cycle, right? Methane is like a ticking time bomb - it's short-lived, but its impact is huge. And with all these countries missing out on targets, it's like they're playing a game of climate roulette 
. I'm all for the EU and other countries taking action, though. Stricter regulations can only help. We need to get some global momentum going here before it's too late... 0.3C or 0.5C is not exactly what we're fighting for 
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But on a brighter note, some countries like the EU are actually taking steps to control methane emissions.
I mean, we've been exceeding the 1.5C heating limit for two years already! It's like, what's taking everyone so long to take action on this?! 
. I wish more countries would work together on reducing methane emissions, like the EU is doing. We need those stricter regulations ASAP! 
Even abandoned coalmines and stuff could be a major source of methane if we don't cap off those wells 
. It's like, the US should step up its commitment under Biden too... 40% global methane reduction would hold temps down by 0.3C in a decade? That sounds kinda achievable lol let's do this 
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. We need to get our global agreement together ASAP - it's time to take control of our own destiny 
. We need to think bigger than just cutting emissions, though. I'm all for countries taking action, but we can't just leave China, India, and Russia hanging 
. The real problem is the lack of global coordination 
. We need a united front on this one, or it's just gonna be a bunch of piecemeal fixes 
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. If we don't get our act together soon, who knows what'll happen 
. We need to take action now, or forever 
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. That's a game-changer 
. But we gotta do it together 
, not just as a bunch of solo players 
. We need to support each other and push for stricter regulations 
. I just wish world leaders would take this seriously and work towards a solution 
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! two years and global temps have been over 1.5c already? that's insane! cutting methane seems like a big deal tho - 40% reduction could make a huge difference and give us some breathing space 
. but, why can't china, india, and russia get on board? it's so frustrating when major producers are missing out 
. let's get this done, planet! 
we cant afford to wait for everyone else to catch up. EUs move towards stricter regulations is a good start but its not enough its time for major emitters to take responsibility .
. And now methane is the new big bad guy 
. I'm all for reducing our carbon footprint and switching to clean energy, but it's just so slow 
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. Countries like the EU are taking action, and there are some brilliant ideas out there 
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china, india, russia... they're not exactly known for their cooperation 
and even countries like the US are kinda MIA under biden 
what if we all just started capping those shale gas wells and oil platforms? 
. and we're still debating whether to cut it or not 
. it's not like we're just talking about saving the planet 
. It's like we're running out of breath space before it's too late. I mean, think about all those devastating consequences – Amazon drying up, Greenland melting... it's just too much. We need to take action on methane NOW. I know it sounds simple, but capping off those shale gas wells and stopping oil and gas leaks isn't rocket science 
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. It could give us that breathing space we so desperately need to transition to clean energy. And let's not forget about the devastating consequences of inaction - the Amazon drying out, Greenland melting... it's too late for some places 
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. It's time for collective responsibility and global cooperation 
. I mean, what's really driving methane emissions? Is it just a coincidence that China, India, and Russia are the major producers? Or is there something more sinister going on? The US isn't cooperating because of some ulterior motive? And what about all those abandoned coalmines? It's like they're deliberately creating more methane to speed up climate change! 
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. We need a solid plan with binding targets and enforcement, or this whole thing is gonna fall apart 
it was all hope and optimism but now, two years later, it feels like we're just spinning our wheels 
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