Atmospheric methane

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution around 1750, the amount of methane in the air has grown a lot—about 160% more than before. This increase is mostly because of things people do. Even though methane makes up only a small part of all the gases that trap heat, it has helped warm the Earth. By the year 2019, there was more than twice as much methane in the air as there was before the Industrial Revolution.

Methane changes the air in ways that make the Earth warmer. It helps create more ozone, a kind of gas that also traps heat, both close to the ground and higher up in the sky. When there is more ozone and other gases like water vapor, it adds to the warming of our planet.

Role in climate change

Methane in Earth's air is a strong gas that helps warm our planet. It is 84 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth over 20 years, but it does not last as long. Over 100 years, it is about 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

Methane adds to the heating of our planet by trapping heat. Scientists measure this effect in special units called "watts per square meter." In 2007, they found methane added about 0.5 watts per square meter to Earth's warming since the year 1750. Recent studies have shown that methane’s warming effect may be bigger than we thought. Reducing methane in the air can help us reach important climate goals.