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Satellites Can Now Identify Methane ‘Super-Emitters’
A significant breakthrough has been achieved in the quest to combat climate change. Scientists have developed a system of satellites that can identify “super-emitters” of methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for approximately one-quarter of the global warming effect. The innovation is expected to revolutionize our ability to track and address pollution worldwide.
According to Dr. Rob Jackson, a professor at Stanford University and author of Into the Clear Blue Sky, this technology will allow us to detect emissions from coal mines and oil/gas fields in remote corners of the world where we have previously been unable to monitor. The system can also pinpoint pollution in countries that are not currently open to international monitoring efforts.
The satellite-powered methane detection capability will be especially effective in identifying “super-emitters,” which are responsible for an alarmingly large portion of global emissions. These emitters often go undetected due to their location or lack of transparency, but the new technology will expose them for what they truly are – significant contributors to climate change.
Some of the areas that will be targeted by this technology include:
* Coal mines and oil/gas fields in Russia’s Raspadskaya Coal Mine and China’s Qingshui basin
* The Permian Basin in West Texas, United States, home to some of the world’s largest oil and gas reserves
* Landfills, feedlots, and wastewater treatment operators worldwide
These “super-emitters” are often large corporations or industrial operations that have previously been able to hide their activities from view. However, with this new technology, there will be nowhere for them to hide.
As Dr. Jackson emphasized, the stakes couldn’t be higher: “In 2025, we’ll be able to track down these emitters and put pressure on the biggest polluters, which are usually large corporations or governments that refuse to act.”
This groundbreaking innovation brings us closer to a world where accountability is key in the fight against climate change.
Source: www.wired.com
