Livestock farming and fossil fuels could drive 4C global heat rise
Written by Jonathan Watts Global environment editor
Human activity behind half atmosphere’s load of methane, a gas 28 times more powerful than CO2 at trapping heat
Animal farming and fossil fuels have driven global emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane to the highest level on record, putting the world on track for dangerously increased heat levels of 3C to 4C.
Since 2000 discharges of the odourless, colourless gas have risen by more than 50m tonnes a year, equivalent to 350m cars or double the total emissions of Germany or France, according to the latest Methane Budget study by a global team of scientists.
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