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Methane

Made up of one carbon and four hydrogen atoms, methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases in terms of its role in the future of climate change.

It is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, trapping more heat per molecule within the atmosphere, but is far less prevalent: in 1998 it made up 1745 parts per billion, whereas carbon dioxide made up 365,000 parts per billion. Methane can be released by a variety of anthropogenic sources (including fermentation, landfills and coal mining) and natural sources (such as natural wetlands and volcanic eruptions). One of the greatest worries for the future of climate change involves the melting of frozen methane (methane hydrate) within deep-ocean pockets as temperatures rise, creating a positive feedback loop that would lead to a further increase in the rate of warming.

For more information on this issue, visit:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090902133637.htm
For general information on methane, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/methane/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methane

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