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Satellites reveal landfill methane problem as COP31 heads to Türkiye
ஏன் செய்தியில்?
Why methane beats CO2 for 20 years yet fades faster: the GS3 climate point behind COP31
Satellite data flags landfill methane as COP31 approaches; methane is over 80 times as potent as CO2 over 20 years.
Why it matters: GS-3 core
What you need to know
2 நிமிடம்
Satellite observations are exposing methane leaks from landfills, just as COP31 moves to Türkiye (Antalya).
Methane is the biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide and is over 80 times more potent than CO2 over its first 20 years in the air, though it breaks down faster.
Sharp cuts could therefore slow warming relatively quickly.
ஆதாரங்கள்: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
முக்கிய உண்மைகள்
Remember these
- Methane is the biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide.
- Over its first 20 years in the air, methane is over 80 times more potent than CO2.
- Methane breaks down faster than CO2, so sharp cuts can slow warming relatively quickly.
- Landfills are a methane source; satellite observations are now exposing their leaks.
- COP31 is moving to Türkiye (Antalya).
ப்ரிலிம்ஸ் · மெயின்ஸ்
How the exam will ask it
ப்ரிலிம்ஸ்
- Methane is the second-largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide.
- Over a 20-year horizon, methane's warming potency is more than 80 times that of CO2.
- Methane has a shorter atmospheric life than carbon dioxide, so cutting it can slow warming relatively quickly.
- Satellite observations can detect methane leaks from landfills.
மெயின்ஸ்
GS Paper 3 (Environment/Climate change): landfill methane is a significant, detectable source of short-lived climate pollutant emissions. Policy responses include waste segregation, landfill gas capture and methane commitments at COP-level talks. Since methane breaks down faster than CO2, sharp cuts offer a quick way to slow warming, and satellite monitoring can strengthen transparency and accountability.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Consider the following statements about methane:
- After carbon dioxide, it is the biggest cause of climate change.
- It stays in the atmosphere for far longer than carbon dioxide does.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
விடையைக் காட்டு
விடை: A — Correct: 1 only — Statement 1 is correct, and statement 2 is false because methane breaks down faster than CO2 even though it is far more potent over 20 years. • 2 only — wrong: Statement 2 is false: methane has a much shorter atmospheric life than carbon dioxide. • Both 1 and 2 — wrong: Statement 2 is false, so 'both' cannot be correct. • Neither 1 nor 2 — wrong: Statement 1 is true, so 'neither' is wrong.
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