"Cutting methane is the single fastest, most effective opportunity to reduce climate change risks in the near term," says atmospheric scientist Ilissa Ocko. That's because, unlike carbon dioxide, methane's warming power doesn't come from a gradual buildup over time but is almost entirely from recent emissions. Ocko identifies three main sources of methane pollution which, if addressed, could dramatically slow down the rate of global warming within years -- not decades. "This is the methane moment," Ocko says.

Methane, while just one percent of our climate pollution, could cause more warming over the next decade than all current carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike CO2, methane’s heat-trapping effect comes almost entirely from recent emissions, making it a powerful lever for immediate climate action. Proven solutions in energy, waste, and agriculture could cut methane emissions in half with technology that often pays for itself. Rapid methane cuts would slow warming within years, helping communities adapt and protecting future generations.

Slashing Methane Is the Fastest Way to Cool the Planet

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Ilissa Ocko: The fastest way to slow climate change now