Pollutionwatch: the double benefit of cutting methane emissions

Methane contributes to climate heating and causes ozone to form in the lower atmosphereReducing carbon dioxide alone will not limit global temperature rises to 1.5C; we have to limit methane emissions too. The global methane pledge could therefore be one of the biggest achievements from the Glasgow climate conference.Cutting methane has a double benefit. In addition to contributing to climate heating, methane is also one of the main gases that causes ozone to form in the lower atmosphere, where it harms our health and damages our crops. The global pledge is the first step to a 45% reduction target. The United Nations Environment Programme estimates that the decreased ozone that would follow would prevent 255,000 early deaths, 775,000 asthma-related hospital visits and 26m tonnes of crop losses globally each year. Continue reading...