METHANE 'SAT'

2. Reasons for Tracking and Measure Methane Emissions

• Methane, an invisible yet potent greenhouse gas, ranks as the second-largest contributor to global warming, following carbon dioxide. It has been responsible for approximately 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution.
• According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over a 20-year timeframe, methane exhibits 80 times more warming potency than carbon dioxide.
• Additionally, methane plays a significant role in the formation of ground-level ozone, a colourless and highly irritating gas found just above the Earth's surface.
• Studies indicate that exposure to ground-level ozone may contribute to approximately one million premature deaths annually.
• Given these factors, reducing methane emissions is imperative. The primary source of methane emissions stems from fossil fuel operations, accounting for about 40% of all human-caused methane emissions. The objective of MethaneSAT is to aid in achieving this crucial goal.

3. MethaneSAT

• MethaneSAT is a satellite project spearheaded by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a nonprofit environmental advocacy group based in the United States.
• Collaborating with partners including Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency, EDF has developed MethaneSAT to monitor methane emissions globally.
• MethaneSAT will orbit the Earth approximately 15 times a day, focusing its monitoring efforts primarily on the oil and gas sector.
• By doing so, it will generate a vast amount of data that will provide insights into the origins and trends of methane emissions.
• According to EDF, this data will reveal crucial information such as the sources of methane emissions, responsible entities, and whether emissions are increasing or decreasing over time.
• One of the notable aspects of MethaneSAT is its commitment to transparency. The data collected by the satellite will be made publicly available for free in near real-time.
• This accessibility will empower stakeholders and regulatory bodies to take prompt action in addressing methane emissions and implementing measures to reduce their environmental impact.

4. Key Features of MethaneSAT

•  Historically, tracking and measuring methane emissions have presented significant challenges. Some satellites offer high-resolution data but are limited to scanning specific, pre-targeted sites. Others can examine larger areas but struggle to detect smaller sources, which are often major contributors to emissions.
• MethaneSAT aims to address these challenges. Equipped with a high-resolution infrared sensor and a spectrometer, the satellite can detect methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion in the atmosphere. This capability allows it to identify smaller emissions sources that previous satellites might have missed.
• In addition to its high-resolution capabilities, MethaneSAT boasts a wide-camera view, covering an area of about 200 km by 200 km. This wide coverage enables it to identify larger emitters, known as "super emitters," providing a comprehensive understanding of methane emissions across various scales.
• The data collected by MethaneSAT will undergo analysis using cloud computing and AI technology developed by Google, a mission partner. Moreover, the collected data will be made publicly available through Google's Earth Engine platform, facilitating transparency and enabling stakeholders to access and utilize the information for addressing methane emissions effectively.

5. Significance of MethaneSAT

• The launch of MethaneSAT coincides with the implementation of more stringent methane management policies worldwide. Initiatives such as the Global Methane Pledge, signed by over 150 countries in 2021, aim to reduce collective methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
• MethaneSAT's data will play a crucial role in helping countries and companies meet these ambitious targets.
• MethaneSAT introduces a new era of transparency by providing publicly available data accessible to anyone worldwide. This data will enable stakeholders to monitor and hold governments and corporations accountable for their methane reduction commitments.
• The satellite's observations will serve as a valuable tool for tracking progress and identifying areas that require further action.
• MethaneSAT's data holds the potential to drive change, but it may not necessarily compel polluters to curb their emissions.
• Drew Shindell, an earth science professor at Duke University, cautioned that the availability of information alone does not guarantee a behaviour change.
• Efforts to address methane emissions will require concerted action and collaboration among various stakeholders beyond the dissemination of data.