Global Warming

Cheap Fix to Global Warming Gains Support

Countries are starting to get more serious about slashing avoidable methane emissions from fossil fuel production.

For example, if all the gas that's leaked or vented by Turkmenistan's energy sector was salvaged and burned instead and the EU rules take effect, the combined measures would have roughly the same short-term climate effect as wiping out roughly 290 million tons of CO2 each year, equivalent to the annual emissions of Taiwan, the 21st worst polluter.

Halting methane that is intentionally released or accidentally leaked from coal mines or natural gas and oil production is some of the lowest hanging fruit in the fight against climate change because minimizing those emissions is often as simple as upgrading infrastructure and making it more efficient.