The Methane Problem: Why It Matters More Than You Think

Published on July 17th, 2025 | 5 min read

When discussing climate change, carbon dioxide (CO₂) often takes center stage. But there’s another greenhouse gas that’s causing concern, one that’s even more powerful and rising fast: methane.

Though it stays in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO₂, methane is over 80 times more potent at trapping heat over 20 years. And right now, it’s leaking into our environment from multiple sources, accelerating global warming, fueling extreme weather, and making the climate crisis even harder to control.

At mimro, we believe that understanding where our emissions come from and what we can do about them is key to building a truly sustainable lifestyle. So, let’s dig into the methane problem and why it deserves more of our attention.

🌍 Where Does Methane Come From?

Methane (CH₄) is a colorless, odorless gas produced naturally and through human activity. While some methane is emitted from wetlands and other natural sources, the majority now comes from human actions. Here are the top culprits:

• Fossil Fuel Operations
  Natural gas and oil drilling are major sources of methane leaks. Even transporting and storing gas can lead to "fugitive emissions" that escape into the atmosphere undetected.
• Landfills
  When organic waste like food scraps or paper ends up in a landfill, it decomposes without oxygen, producing methane instead of CO₂. Landfills are now the third-largest source of methane in the U.S.
• Agriculture
  Livestock like cows and sheep release methane through digestion (enteric fermentation), and manure storage adds even more. Rice paddies, which are often flooded, also emit significant methane as microbes break down organic matter in waterlogged soil.

🔥 Why Is Methane So Dangerous?

Methane’s short-term impact is where its danger lies. While CO₂ sticks around for centuries, methane traps intense heat in the near term. That makes it one of the biggest threats to staying within the 1.5°C global warming limit outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Worse, methane emissions are rising faster than ever. The 2020s saw record-breaking increases, driven by increased fossil fuel use, agricultural expansion, and poor waste management.

🗑️ What Can You Do to Help?

The methane crisis can feel invisible, but your daily choices have real power. Here are a few climate-smart shifts you can make:

• Cut Down Food Waste
  Roughly 30–40% of food is wasted globally, and most of it ends up in landfills. Composting your scraps or choosing upcycled food products helps reduce methane from rotting waste.
• Support Low-Waste Brands
  Opt for products with minimal packaging or that are compostable. Landfill-bound packaging waste is a silent methane contributor.
• Eat Less Meat & Dairy
  Even small shifts toward a plant-rich diet can significantly lower your methane footprint. Cows and sheep are responsible for a big slice of agricultural methane emissions.
• Choose Renewable Energy Providers
  Switch to energy providers that invest in solar, wind, or hydro, reducing our reliance on natural gas and curbing one of the largest sources of industrial methane.

🌱 At mimro, we’re Tackling Methane, One Product at a Time

We’re proud to feature products that help fight methane at the source, from compostable kitchen goods that stay out of landfills to plant-based pantry staples that reduce demand for methane-intensive farming.

By shopping with intention, you’re not just reducing waste, you’re sending a powerful message: that everyday choices can influence planetary systems.

💚 Methane may be invisible, but your impact isn’t.

Sources:

• UNEP Global Methane Assessment
• IPCC Sixth Assessment Report
• FAO Livestock Emissions Data
• U.S. EPA Methane Emissions Inventory