Researchers have reported a significant increase in methane emissions from wetlands, raising concerns about the impact on government policies regarding fossil fuel and agriculture-related industries. Wetlands contain vast amounts of carbon in the form of decomposing plant matter, which is slowly broken down by soil microbes.
Rising temperatures are accelerating this process, leading to increased biological interactions that produce methane. Additionally, heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding, expanding wetland areas.
Scientists have long anticipated a rise in methane emissions from wetlands due to global warming. However, air samples taken from 2020 to 2022 revealed higher concentrations of methane in the atmosphere.
Four studies published in recent months indicate that tropical wetlands are the most likely contributors to the rising methane levels, accounting for over seven million tons of methane emissions in recent years.
Rob Jackson, a professor of environmental science at Stanford University and head of the Global Methane Budget, stated, "Methane concentrations are not only rising, but have increased faster in the past five years than ever before."
Several countries have announced ambitious plans to reduce methane emissions. Last year, China pledged to curb emissions from oil and gas wells.
The Biden administration finalized a new regulation last week requiring U.S. oil and gas producers to pay fees on certain methane emissions, though this regulation may be rescinded under the incoming Trump administration.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Environment Minister Eve Baziiba told Reuters at the UN Climate Summit (COP29) that her country is assessing methane emissions from swamp forests and wetlands in the Congo Basin.
The 2024 Methane Budget report indicates that the Congo is the largest source of methane emissions in tropical regions.