What if we told you that an invisible gas is responsible for one-third of all global warming, yet many countries refuse to control it? According to IndianExpress, this gas is methane, and India’s decision not to sign the Global Methane Pledge has sparked important discussions about climate action and farmer survival.
Understanding Methane: The Powerful Heat Trapper
Methane works like a super-thick blanket around Earth, trapping heat much more effectively than carbon dioxide. While CO₂ stays in our atmosphere for 100 years, methane disappears after just 12 years. However, during those 12 years, it traps heat so efficiently that it becomes the second most dangerous greenhouse gas for our planet’s temperature.
| Methane’s Power: Traps heat much more effectively than CO₂ in the short term | Methane’s Lifespan: Disappears from atmosphere in 12 years compared to CO₂’s 100 years |
| Global Impact: Causes approximately one-third of all current global warming | Source Breakdown: 40% agriculture, 35% fossil fuels, 20% waste management |
The Global Methane Pledge: A Worldwide Promise
At COP 26, many countries made a promise called the Global Methane Pledge. This agreement aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% before 2030. Think of it as countries agreeing to turn down the planet’s heating system by working together on this powerful greenhouse gas.
Why India Said No: Protecting Small Farmers
India’s government has refused to sign this pledge, and their reasons reveal a complex reality about climate action. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, along with other key departments, considers India’s methane emissions as survival emissions rather than luxury emissions.
- Small Farmer Protection: Millions of India’s farmers depend on livestock and rice cultivation for their basic survival, not luxury lifestyle choices
- Food Security Concerns: Reducing agricultural methane could threaten food production for a population that still struggles with hunger and malnutrition
- Economic Reality: Unlike wealthy nations that can afford expensive alternatives, India’s farmers use traditional methods because they cannot afford costly new technologies
India’s Methane Sources: Where It Comes From
India produces methane in two major ways that directly impact ordinary people’s lives. Understanding these sources helps explain why reducing them is so challenging.
- Livestock Digestion: India’s 12.74 Tg annual methane comes from cows and buffaloes digesting food in their stomachs, plus manure management
- Rice Cultivation: Flooded rice fields produce 3.97 Tg of methane yearly because underwater conditions create perfect environments for methane-producing bacteria
India’s Solutions: Working Within Reality
Despite not signing the pledge, India is actively working to reduce methane through practical programs that don’t threaten farmer livelihoods.
- GOBAR-Dhan Programme: Converts animal waste into useful biogas and organic manure, reducing methane while helping farmers earn money
- Livestock Improvement: Better breeding and balanced feeding help animals produce less methane while maintaining milk and meat production
- Rice Cultivation Changes: Teaching farmers water management techniques that reduce methane without reducing rice yields
Looking Ahead: Balancing Climate and Survival
The upcoming Methane Mitigation Summit in Austin, Texas, scheduled for June 2025, will likely address these competing priorities. As global methane emissions could increase by 13% between 2020 and 2030, the world must find ways to protect both our climate and vulnerable farmers’ survival.
