A study published in June found that methane is four times more responsive to global warming than previously thought. The result explains the rapid increase in recent years and indicates that methane-related warming will escalate in the coming decades if not contained, the “Guardian” and the “Mirror” citing the study report.
In the journal Nature Communications, researchers Chin-Hsien Cheng and Simon Redfern write “feedback loops” regarding the concentration of methane in the atmosphere. Rising temperatures are already known to thaw permafrost in polar regions, allowing more methane (CH4) to escape from swamps and swamps.
Atmosphere loses ability to break down methane
In addition, however, there is another loop. According to the scientists, the atmosphere is losing its ability to break down the methane present. This requires an oxidizing agent called a hydroxyl radical. “The hydroxyl radical is called the scrubber of the atmosphere because it cleans it of harmful gases,” Redfern told The Guardian.
However, the hydroxyl radical reacts with carbon monoxide, which is increasingly released during forest fires, for example. Declining water surface temperatures in the tropics also play a role in the fact that not enough of these radicals are formed at all, according to the study.
Gas in the atmosphere longer today than before
The result of the combined effects is that methane remains in the atmosphere longer than before due to climate change. “It was a really shocking result,” said Redfern. It follows that the climate crisis is even more dangerous and extreme than expected.
CH4 concentration at record level in 2021
Methane, along with carbon dioxide (CO2), is responsible for global warming and increased at a record pace last year. The concentration in the atmosphere increased by 17 ppb (parts per billion). According to the US Ocean and Atmosphere Agency (NOAA), this is the highest increase since measurements began in 1983. By 2020, methane concentrations had risen faster than at any time since measurements began.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
