A Note from our Chapter Chair
Methane: Invisible No More!
Susan Eastwood
Summer 2024
I always look forward to a clear night during the August Perseid meteor showers. Looking up in the dark skies, we count the meteors as they zoom by. This year, I had to wonder if I was seeing any of a series of methane-detecting satellites passing over with eyes peeled to identify sources of leaking methane here on the Earth.
I have been intrigued by this new technology which will aid in cleaning up our air and helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — satellites that can ‘see’ and monitor methane emissions from space.
Methane gas is invisible, odorless, and leaks from many human-caused sources, including oil and gas facilities, coal mines, landfills, and waste from agricultural operations. It is more than 80 times more harmful to our air in the first 20 years in the atmosphere, making it a more dangerous greenhouse gas than CO2 in the short term. Methane causes 30 percent of global warming. Making rapid and drastic cuts to these emissions is the quickest most cost effective way of slowing climate change.
Recent studies have found that methane emissions are much higher than was thought, leading to pledges by corporations, oil and gas industry, and many counties to cut their methane pollution drastically, as well as new regulations in the US.
But how can we identify and quantify these dangerous emissions and stop them at their sources? How can we hold polluters to their pledges to reduce methane leakages?
The methane satellites use sensitive spectrometers that “read” the signature pattern produced by methane when absorbing sunlight; this is visible on the infrared spectrum. What is invisible to the human eye, becomes visible! CO2 can also be measured with this technology. It can track changes over time and identify the sources of methane leaks. Some of the methane-detecting satellites track wide areas, or look for large sources of emissions. Newer satellites are able to identify even small sources of leaks.
The data will be public which will allow for accountability. Once leaks can be pinpointed, repairs can be made, and confirmed. The data will help the U.S. EPA and other countries to run effective methane reduction programs. The methane-detecting satellites will catalyze a new era of GHG measurement and will help ensure that reduction pledges are met!
Sources to learn more:
NPR: A new satellite will track climate-warming pollution.
COMING SOON!
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You are invited to the Sierra Club Annual Fall Get Together!
Friday, September 27 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
The 224 EcoSpace, 224 Farmington Ave, Hartford
Join us to reconnect and have some fun.
The event is free. Register here.
- We'll have food and soft drinks, please BYOB.
- Books! We're collecting books for the Nonprofit Accountability Group Little Free Library focused on environmental and social justice and healthy living.
- An item for our swap. You’ll go home with something else!
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National Drive Electric Week
September 27 - October 6
2024 National Drive Electric Week is taking place from September 27 to October 6 at locations all across the US. Here in Connecticut, there are several events that will feature electric vehicles, as well as e-bikes, EV charging, and more. You'll be able to see a variety of EV models and speak to owners about what it is like to own, drive, and charge an EV.
Connecticut events are planned in Southbury (9/28), East Hampton (10/5), West Hartford, and Old Saybrook (10/6).
Go to National Drive Electric Week for more information on these and other events and check out this month’s article, “Update on Electric Vehicles in Connecticut: Lower Cost of Ownership and More Convenient Charging”.
And check our events page for exciting new outings and events.
Onward,
Susan
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Susan Eastwood is Chapter Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut.