Scientists Struggle to Understand, Rising Global Methane Levels.<br />'Newsweek' reports that methane concentrations <br />in the Earth's atmosphere continue to climb, <br />and scientists are scrambling to understand why.<br />In 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric <br />Administration (NOAA) reported record-breaking <br />concentrations of methane.<br />Average concentrations of methane <br />reached 1,895.7 parts per billion (ppb). .<br />2021 saw the largest annual increase <br />in atmospheric methane levels since systemic <br />measurements began being taken in 1983.<br />Methane concentrations <br />are increasing at a frightening <br />and totally unexpected rate, Benjamin Poulter, <br />NASA atmospheric scientist, <br />via 'Newsweek'.<br />In 2020 and again in 2021, <br />methane concentrations grew at a rate <br />that was more than double the average <br />over the previous decade, Benjamin Poulter, <br />NASA atmospheric scientist, <br />via 'Newsweek'.<br />According to scientists, the rapid <br />increase in atmospheric methane <br />suggests significant implications.<br />'Newsweek' reports that the potent <br />greenhouse gas is a major <br />contributor to global warming.<br />'Newsweek' reports that the potent <br />greenhouse gas is a major <br />contributor to global warming.<br />Methane is a major anthropogenic <br />greenhouse gas, and its unexpected recent <br />rise is arguably the largest deviation from <br />the hopes of the Paris Agreement (note <br />the recent CO2 rise was also bad).<br />If we don't get methane under control, <br />the Paris Agreement will fail, Euan Nisbet, Earth scientist at Royal Holloway, <br />University of London, via 'Newsweek'.<br />Methane is emitted by both <br />natural sources and human activity.<br />Current estimates suggest that <br />approximately 600 million tons <br />are emitted into the air every year
