It has not been easy to substitute fossil fuels and halt the release of greenhouse gases to avoid the painful and disruptive effects of global warming, rather the problem and opportunity posed by methane has contributed as much as 0.50C of warming since pre-industrial times.
Human activities have been the main pilot of global warming, basically due to burning of fossil fuels like coal, natural gas and oil. Methane (CH4), as the main ingredient in natural gas production is a major source of global emission alongside agriculture, waste management and livestock emission (from manure and gastro enteric release) accounting for roughly 32% of human–caused emissions. Methane is of concern here because it has an outsized atmospheric impact on the climate. This means that curbing its emissions could provide short-term relief as government and businesses negotiate the more difficult transition from fossil fuels to clean energy.
Previous study reveals that agriculture is the bedrock of every nation, and must be given the underlying attentions to help boost the nation’s economy. Agricultural methane does not only come from animals, but also paddy rice cultivation–where flooded fields prevents oxygen from being penetrated into the soil, creates ideal conditions for methane, thus emitting bacteria which accounts for another 8% of human-linked emissions. A big deal about methane is that as a primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone(O3) -a hazardous air pollutant and greenhouse gas, exposes about 1 million premature people to death and 80 times more potent at warming the earth than carbon-dioxide, CO2.
According to data from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, carbon-dioxide emission decelerated during the pandemic-related lockdown of the COVID-19 in the year 2020 while atmospheric methane shifted up. Recently, on how to reduce methane emission, James Lomax, adviser to UNEP Food Systems and Agriculture said that “the world needs to begin by rethinking our approaches to agricultural cultivation and livestock production”. These will include: leveraging new technology shifting towards plant-rich diets and embracing alternative sources of protein.
Study confirms that carbon-dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years, meaning that if emissions were immediately and dramatically reduced, they would not have an effect on the climate until later in the century. But, it takes only about a decade for methane to breakdown. Scientists are experimenting with alternative type of feeds to reduce methane production by cattle, and looking at ways to manage manure efficiently by using it to produce biogas (gas with high methane content).
However, in staple crops like paddy rice, experts recommend alternative wetting and drying approach that could reduce emissions rather than allowing the continuous flooding of fields. For example, paddy rice cultivation could be irrigated or drained two or three times throughout the growing season, thereby limiting methane production without impacting yield. That process will also require 1/3 less water, making it more economical.
Study proven creditably reveals that human-caused methane emissions could be replaced by as much as 45% within the decade. This will also improve health, and avert nearly 0.30C of global warming by 2045 helping to limit global temperature rise to 1.50C, and putting the planet on track to achieve the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Subsequently, the yearly reduction of ground–level ozone would help prevent 260,000 asthmas–related hospital visits, 73billion hours of labour from extreme heat, and 25million tons of crop losses.
Nevertheless, the United Nation’s Secretary General, Antonio Guterres convened the UN Food System Summit in September, 2012 aimed at helping farmers and food production more environmentally friendly. Also, the UN’s Joint Work on Agriculture is supporting transformation of agricultural and food systems, focusing on how to maintain productivity amidst a changing climate.
Globally, the International body through research and advocacy are drawing actions to cut methane pollutions from the energy and agricultural sectors for over a decade, and are building a Methane-Tracking Satellite to help scale reduction by at least 30% below 2020 levels. For this reason, September 7th every year has been earmarked as “International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies”. It will be a way out if humanity is to slash greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 1.50C – a target by the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
According to Mark Brownstein, Senior Vice President of Environmental Defense Fund “reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry is the fastest way to slow the rate of global warming that we feel today”. Hence, scientists explain that if there is success in a rapid, full-scale effort, then there is a chance to actually experience the benefit fast in our lifetime. By Okoko Chidozie Christian
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