Methane gas is 25 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than CO2. Methane is produced by wetlands, rice paddies, cattle and gas and coal industries. It is held into check by a reaction with the hydroxyl free radical (OH) and according to a team led by researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, methane gas in the atmosphere is on the rise.

The cause of the rise is unknown. The ramifications of the rise is unknown. Whether or not it is a temporary rise or will be sustained is unknown. What is known is that methane levels are more than two times those of pre-industrial times and that the recent rise is universal, that is, it has risen in all parts of our skies that are being monitored.

The methane watchers also say this recent rise brings to an end a decade of atmospheric levels that were essentially stable and that the gases contribute to global warming. More study is needed, but the researchers felt that “because the detection of increased methane has important consequences for global warming the team wanted to get these initial results out as quickly as possible.”

Just what we need, something else to worry about but not know why we are worrying.

Image courtesy of MorBCN