Approaching Steady-State Atmospheric Methane in the Anthropocene

Approaching Steady-State Atmospheric Methane in the Anthropocene

• News
• February 22, 2025

Approaching Steady-State Atmospheric Methane in the Anthropocene

PACIFICHEM 2025
December 15-20
Honolulu, Hawaii

The current atmospheric concentration of methane is approaching 2.00 ppm and increasing faster than at any time since record keeping began in the 1980s. Approximately 1/3 of Earth’s post-industrial revolution climate change can be ascribed to methane. Natural gas (methane) and liquified natural gas (LNG) are useful fuels and chemical feedstocks and easily transported via an established infrastructure. The 2025 market value of methane and LNG is projected to be US$120B and grow 5-10% per year. Use of coal, oil, and gas contribute 120 million tons (Mt) of methane emission into the atmosphere each year. Methane’s savior is its mean atmospheric lifetime, ~10 years, and can provide a near-term opportunity to mitigate rapid climate change. Human activity contributes to the imbalance between methane natural sources and sinks. This symposium includes methane sources and sinks, measurement, control, and use technology, climate modeling, regulatory impacts, and market supply and demand. Aligned with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals 7, Affordable and Clean Energy and 13, Climate Action.

PACIFICHEM 2025