Satellite data finds landfills are methane 'super emitters'

A study suggests that landfills are releasing more methane into the atmosphere than previously thought.

Scientists used satellite data from four major cities around the world to find that the emissions from landfills were more than previously thought.

The study was published in Science Advances on Wednesday and is intended to help local governments find ways to limit global warming.

Methane is released into the air when organic waste is broken down. Methane emissions are the third largest source after oil and gas and agriculture.

Methane traps 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide and lasts about 12 years in the air. At least 25% of today's warming is caused by methane, according to scientists.

This is the first time that high-resolution satellite images have been used to calculate methane emissions from landfills.

He said that the landfills, which are relatively small compared to city sizes, are responsible for a lot of emissions.

Satellite data to detect emissions is still new and is being used more and more to observe gases across the world. Local government figures used to be the only source of information regarding greenhouse gases and big emitters.

In countries like India where landfills are often on fire, the new work shows how important it is to manage them better.

There have been landfill fires in India this year.

The newer satellite technology, combined with on-the-ground measurements, makes it easier for researchers to identify people who are causing pollution.

According to an analysis by the International Energy Agency, China, India and Russia are the world's biggest methane producers.

104 countries signed a pledge to reduce methane emissions by a third by the year 2030. India and China are not part of the agreement.

More research into landfill sites will be carried out in the future.

We expect more interesting data to come out soon.

That's right.

You can follow Sibi Arasu on social networking sites.

That's right.

Climate and environmental coverage is supported by a number of private foundations. More about AP's climate initiative can be found here. The AP doesn't have any responsibility for the rest of the content.