Current:Home > FinanceScientists say landfills release more planet-warming methane than previously thought -Mastery Money Tools
Scientists say landfills release more planet-warming methane than previously thought
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:23:44
BENGALURU, India — Landfills are releasing far more planet-warming methane into the atmosphere from the decomposition of waste than previously thought, a study suggests.
Scientists used satellite data from four major cities worldwide — Delhi and Mumbai in India, Lahore in Pakistan and Buenos Aires in Argentina — and found that emissions from landfills in 2018 and 2019 were 1.4 to 2.6 times higher than earlier estimates.
The study, published in Science Advances on Wednesday, is aimed at helping local governments carry out targeted efforts to limit global warming by pinpointing specific sites of major concern.
When organic waste like food, wood or paper decomposes, it emits methane into the air. Landfills are the third-largest source of methane emissions globally, after oil and gas systems and agriculture.
Although methane only accounts for about 11% of greenhouse gas emissions and lasts about a dozen years in the air, it traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide does. Scientists estimate that at least 25% of today's warming is driven by methane from human actions.
"This is the first time that high-resolution satellite images have been used to observe landfills and calculate their methane emissions," said Joannes Maasakkers, lead author of the study and atmospheric scientist at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research.
"We found that these landfills, which are relatively small compared to city sizes, are responsible for a large fraction of total emissions from a given area," he said.
Satellite data to detect emissions is still a relatively new field, but it's being used more and more to observe gases across the world. It means more independent organizations are tracking greenhouse gases and identifying big emitters, whereas previously local government figures were the only source available.
"This new work shows just how important it is to manage landfills better, especially in countries like India where landfills are often on fire, emitting a wide range of damaging pollutants," said Euan Nesbit, an Earth scientist at Royal Holloway, University of London, who wasn't part of the study.
Earlier this year, smoke hung over New Delhi for days after a massive landfill caught fire as the country was sweltering in an extreme heat wave with temperatures surpassing 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). At least two other landfill fires have been reported in India this year.
Nesbit added that the newer satellite technology, combined with on-the-ground measurements, makes it easier for researchers to identify "who is polluting the world."
China, India and Russia are the world's biggest methane polluters, a recent analysis by the International Energy Agency found.
At last year's United Nations climate conference, 104 countries signed a pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 compared with 2020 levels. Both India and China are not signatories.
The authors plan to carry out more research into landfill sites across the world in future studies.
"It is a quickly developing field and we expect more interesting data to come out soon," said Maasakkers.
veryGood! (31)
Related
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- New Mexico governor amends controversial temporary gun ban, now targets parks, playgrounds
- Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness announce their separation after 27 years of marriage
- Poland is shaken by reports that consular officials took bribes to help migrants enter Europe and US
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Turkey cave rescue survivor Mark Dickey on his death-defying adventure, and why he'll never stop caving
- Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani out for remainder of season with oblique injury
- World War I-era plane flips onto roof trying to land near Massachusetts museum; pilot unhurt
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Halle Berry Says Drake Used Slime Photo Without Her Permission
Ranking
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom says he will sign climate-focused transparency laws for big business
- Forecasters cancel warnings as Lee begins to dissipate over Maritime Canada
- NYC day care owner, neighbor arrested after 1-year-old dies and 3 others are sickened by opioids
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- New York employers must include pay rates in job ads under new state law
- Inside Deion Sanders' sunglasses deal and how sales exploded this week after criticism
- Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert Break Up After 7 Years of Marriage
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Private Louisiana zoo claims federal seizure of ailing giraffe wasn’t justified
1-year-old dies of suspected opioid exposure at NYC daycare, 3 hospitalized: Police
Khloe Kardashian Recreates Britney Spears' 2003 Pepsi Interview Moment
'Most Whopper
2 pilots killed after their planes collided upon landing at air races in Reno, Nevada
Lee expected to be near hurricane strength when it makes landfall later today, forecasters say
Egyptian court gives a government critic a 6-month sentence in a case condemned by rights groups