Landfill Methane: A Major Contributor to Climate Change

A study published in the journal Science reveals that open landfills in the United States emit methane at almost three times the rate reported to federal regulators, with some sites showing significant methane plumes. Scientists used imaging spectrometers during airplane flyovers to gather data, detecting emissions hot spots at over half of the landfills surveyed. The study highlights the need to address leaks from specialized wells and pipes at landfills, as well as to reduce waste going into landfills, as they are the third largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the United States.