Future of the Environment

Methane levels are increasing – and scientists aren’t sure why

An employee of European Gas Limited works on British company's coalbed methane exploration site outside Folschviller, eastern France, February 4, 2013. After slamming the door to potentially huge shale gas reserves over environmental concerns, France has now discovered there could be at least five years worth of another cheap-to-produce gas in the former coal mining region of Lorraine. But, divisions in the French government, as with shale gas, are hampering efforts to develop so-called coalbed methane, a gas extracted from layers of coal too deep underground to be mined. Picture taken February 4, 2013. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann (FRANCE - Tags: ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS INDUSTRIAL) - PM1E92E1EXR01

A 20 year pause is over. Image: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Sean Fleming
Senior Writer, Formative Content
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Atmospheric methane is rising at an alarming rate.
Atmospheric methane is rising at an alarming rate. Image: 2nd Institute
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Future of the EnvironmentSustainable DevelopmentEnergy Transition
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