Satellites find close to 800 methane leaks in past four years

Earth observation satellites have detected leaks of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, in the US, Algeria, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

By Jason Arunn Murugesu

Satellites have discovered close to 800 methane leaks from just four countries since November 2017. Using a new approach to identify sources of the powerful greenhouse gas, the researchers behind the work found that more than two thirds of the leaks they identified are recurring, suggesting that they could be fixed through improved maintenance of leaky fossil fuel infrastructure.

Methane accounts for 16 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, but has up to 80 times the warming power …