Carlsbad Current Argus journalist Adrian Hedden reports on a recent international report from the International Energy Agency emphasizing the urgent need to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations to mitigate the severe climate impacts. In a nutshell:The report underlines that merely declining demand for fossil fuels won't be enough to curtail methane emissions and prevent global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius. The big picture:Reducing methane from the oil and gas sector is cited as one of the most effective and affordable measures to combat global warming. As countries importing oil and gas demand emission reduction goals from producers, there's likely to be increased pressure for pollution reduction in New Mexico and across the U.S.' oilfields. For additional context, be sure to read Kristina Marusic's piece noting that methane emissions are vastly undercounted at the state and national level because we're missing accidental leaks from oil and gas wells.

Source: Washington Post October 16, 2023 00:45 UTC