Satellites are essential for many tasks like navigation, communication, and observing our planet. Interestingly, about 8% to 10% of these satellites are used for military purposes, including intelligence gathering.
Recently, one climate satellite caught everyone’s attention when it went silent. This satellite, called MethaneSat, was designed to detect methane emissions from space, serving both science and watchdog roles.
Built by the Environmental Defense Fund with Nasa’s help, MethaneSat aimed to track methane leaks from various sources like oil and gas facilities, farms, and landfills. These sites are significant contributors to methane emissions, which are tricky to detect due to their scattered nature.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, more than 80 times stronger than carbon dioxide over a 20-year span. Since 1750, human activities have significantly increased methane levels, contributing to about 60% of global warming caused by carbon dioxide. Unlike CO₂, which lingers in the atmosphere for over a century, methane breaks down much faster—usually within ten years—thanks to hydroxyl radicals, often referred to as “the atmosphere’s detergent.”
This unique characteristic of methane makes it a crucial target for reduction efforts. Current rates of methane increase jeopardize our ability to meet Paris Agreement goals, such as limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050.
Reducing methane emissions can be tackled in two main ways: actively removing methane from the atmosphere or simply cutting down on emissions. The global methane pledge, initiated at the 2021 UN climate summit, aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030. Over 150 countries have signed this pledge, with the potential to lower global temperatures by up to 0.2°C by 2050.
MethaneSat played a key role in identifying and monitoring methane emissions. It was equipped with a hyperspectral sensor that could detect tiny amounts of methane by analyzing sunlight reflected from Earth. This allowed it to pinpoint individual methane sources, facilitating accountability and allowing for targeted interventions.
As MethaneSat is no longer operational, tracking small emissions without it is challenging. Other satellites do collect similar data, but often at a cost or with limited regional focus. This means spotting emissions is becoming increasingly difficult, making the loss of MethaneSat significant.
In summary, while technology and agreements like the global methane pledge pave the way for progress, the future of effective monitoring is uncertain. Keeping watch on atmospheric methane remains crucial in our fight against climate change.
