Methane is a colorless, odorless gas with a wide distribution in nature. It is the principal component of natural gas with the chemical formula of CH4.
Methane is the second
most prevalent greenhouse gas emitted in the United States from human
activities whereas CO2 is the most prevalent. CH4accounts for about 14% of global greenhouse
gas emissions from human activities.
Methane's lifetime in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide (CO2), but CH4 is more efficient at trapping radiation than CO2. It is said to be 84 times more potent than CO2 in the short term. Pound for pound, the comparative impact of CH4 on climate change is 25 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year period.
Properties of Methane Chemical Formula:CH4 Lifetime in Atmosphere:12 years Global Warming Potential: 28-36 years (100 year)