Sir, – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report published this week states that climate change is a grave and mounting threat to wellbeing and the health of the planet, with the world facing unavoidable multiple climate hazards with global warming of 1.5 degrees, and that ambitious accelerated action is required to make rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
As methane traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over the 20 years after it has been generated, and has a mean half-life of nine years in the atmosphere, compared with over 100 years for carbon dioxide, cutting methane is the single most effective method of radically curtailing global warming and climate change over the next 25 years, giving us breathing space to emerge from reliance on fossil fuels.
Some 42 per cent of human caused methane emissions derive from agriculture – mostly from burping livestock, manure, and paddy fields. Altered feed and herd management will have minimal impact. Significant inroads could be made by dietary change – eating less meat. Seldom in the world of climate change is there a solution so stuffed with win-wins. The most recent evidence suggest that methane cuts can reduce the likelihood of passing climate tipping points.
We have been slamming our heads against the wall on climate change for long enough. We need a near-term win on climate change – methane abatement can do that. – Yours, etc,
CATHERINE CONLON
Ballintemple,
Cork.