Methane Emissions Blow Past Current Estimates

Methane emissions from the global fossil fuel industry are up to 60 percent greater than existing estimates, according to a new comprehensive analysis of global methane emissions.

Map showing global methane concentrations in January 2016 at a pressure of 400 hectopascals, or roughly 6km above the surface. Concentrations are higher in the northern hemisphere because both natural- and human-caused sources of methane are more abundant there. AIRS/Aqua/Nasa

The unaccounted-for emissions are 300 times more than California’s Aliso Canyon leak .

According to current estimates, the fossil fuel industry contributes about 22 percent of global methane emissions and about 30 percent of total U.S. methane emissions . Methane has a higher warming potential than carbon dioxide in the short term.

Listen here to the NPR report:

For a deeper dive:

Guardian , New Scientist , TakePart , TIME , AL Jazeera , New York Magazine , NPR , Colorado Public Radio , Gizmodo

For more climate change and clean energy news, you can follow Climate Nexus on Twitter and Facebook , and sign up for daily Hot News .