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Context

• MethaneSAT, designed to track and measure methane emissions globally, was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket from California on March 4.
• While not the first satellite to address methane emissions, MethaneSAT boasts enhanced capabilities, including a wider field of view and increased detail.

Details

Why Track Methane Emissions?

• Global Warming Impact: Methane ranks as the second-largest contributor to global warming, following carbon dioxide, responsible for 30% of global heating since the Industrial Revolution.
• Potency: Over a 20-year period, methane is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide, making it a significant driver of climate change.
• Health Concerns: Methane contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone, a pollutant linked to one million premature deaths annually.

The Role of MethaneSAT

• Targeting Fossil Fuel Operations: Approximately 40% of human-caused methane emissions stem from fossil fuel operations, making them a primary target for emission reduction efforts.
• Objectives: MethaneSAT aims to provide detailed data on methane emissions, enabling stakeholders to identify sources, assess trends, and take action to mitigate emissions.
• Crucial Contribution: By facilitating the reduction of methane emissions, MethaneSAT plays a critical role in combating climate change and safeguarding public health.

About MethaneSAT

• MethaneSAT is a satellite developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a US-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group.
• Collaborators on the project include Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the New Zealand Space Agency.

Mission:

• MethaneSAT's primary objective is to monitor methane emissions globally, with a particular focus on the oil and gas sector.
• The satellite will orbit the Earth approximately 15 times a day, collecting data on methane emissions from various sources.

Data Collection and Analysis:

• MethaneSAT will generate a substantial amount of data, providing insights into the quantity and sources of methane emissions.
• The data will answer key questions, such as how much methane is being emitted, where these emissions originate from, and whether emissions are increasing or decreasing over time.

Accessibility:

• One of MethaneSAT's notable features is its commitment to making its data publicly available in near real-time.
• This open access to data will enable stakeholders and regulators to monitor methane emissions and take timely action to address them.

Features of MethaneSAT

Addressing Data Gaps:

• MethaneSAT aims to overcome historical challenges in tracking and measuring methane emissions.
• While previous satellites had limitations in scanning specific sites or detecting smaller emissions sources, MethaneSAT is designed to fill critical data gaps.

Advanced Technology:

• Equipped with a high-resolution infrared sensor and a spectrometer, MethaneSAT can track methane concentrations with exceptional precision.
• It can detect differences in methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion in the atmosphere, enabling it to identify even smaller emissions sources.

Wide-Camera View:

• MethaneSAT has a wide-camera view of approximately 200 km by 200 km.
• This wide coverage allows the satellite to identify larger emitters, including "super emitters" that contribute significantly to methane emissions.

Data Analysis and Accessibility:

• The data collected by MethaneSAT will be analysed using cloud-computing and AI technology developed by Google, a mission partner.
• The analysed data will be made publicly available through Google's Earth Engine platform, ensuring accessibility to stakeholders and regulators worldwide.

Significance of MethaneSAT

Addressing Global Methane Management Policies:

• MethaneSAT's launch coincides with the implementation of more stringent methane management policies worldwide.
• Initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge, signed by over 150 countries, aim to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
• MethaneSAT will play a crucial role in helping countries and companies meet these ambitious targets by providing accurate and comprehensive data on methane emissions.

Enhancing Transparency:

• MethaneSAT's publicly available data will bring a new level of transparency to methane emissions monitoring.
• Governments and corporations will be held accountable for their methane reduction commitments, as the satellite's data can be accessed and scrutinized by anyone worldwide.

Supporting Climate Action Initiatives:

• By providing reliable data on methane emissions, MethaneSAT will support global climate action initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change.
• The satellite's data will inform policy decisions and strategies for reducing methane emissions, contributing to broader efforts to combat climate change.

Challenges

• Despite the availability of data, there are challenges in ensuring that it leads to significant changes in behavior, especially among polluters.
• There is the uncertainty regarding whether the data from MethaneSAT will compel polluters to curb their emissions.
• Behavioral change may require additional incentives, regulations, and enforcement mechanisms to effectively reduce methane emissions.

MUST READ ARTICLES:

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/rising-methane-and-earths-climate-transition

https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/global-methane-tracker#:~:text=Methane%20is%20a%20greenhouse%20gas,at%20warming%20than%20carbon%20dioxide.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. By monitoring and addressing methane emissions, MethaneSAT contributes to global efforts to mitigate climate change and promote environmental sustainability. Discuss. (150 words)