Methane Detectives: The High-Stakes Battle to Uncover the Truth About the World’s Worst Polluters
A new satellite is about to be launched into space, and it’s got the entire energy industry on edge. The Tanager-1 satellite, developed by non-profit Carbon Mapper, will be able to pinpoint methane and carbon dioxide emissions from individual facilities with unprecedented precision. And with its ability to attribute emissions within 50 meters of the source, it’s a game-changer in the fight against climate change.
But this satellite isn’t just about tracking emissions – it’s about holding polluters accountable. And with the energy industry’s methane emissions at near-record levels, despite reduction pledges, the stakes have never been higher.
The truth is, methane is the secret sauce of climate change. It’s a potent greenhouse gas, 80 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2 over 20 years. And with the world’s top emitters refusing to take responsibility, it’s up to satellites like Tanager-1 to expose the truth.
Carbon Mapper’s CEO, Riley Duren, is on a mission to shame and shame those responsible for the worst methane leaks. "If you have empirical evidence of methane leaks from liquid natural gas, then you can differentiate between cleaner consumers and producers of natural gas," he says. "It’s a market mechanism."
But it’s not just about punishing the guilty – it’s about protecting the innocent. The public emissions data from Tanager-1 could become a powerful tool for communities affected by methane leaks. "People who live near oil and gas fields will have greater information about when methane leaks threaten them," Duren says.
And with the EU set to penalize liquid natural gas imports above a certain methane-intensity threshold starting in 2030, the pressure is on for companies to clean up their act. "Businesses operating in countries aiming to clean up high-emitting sectors could rely on satellite data to shift supply chains," Duren says.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Large oil and gas companies are already disputing satellite data showing their pollution. And with government agencies reluctant to use satellites to track emissions and set regulations, it’s a tough road ahead.
Still, the power of Tanager-1 is undeniable. With its ability to track emissions globally, it’s a game-changer in the fight against climate change. And with Carbon Mapper’s plan to scale its satellite program, the truth about the world’s worst polluters will soon be impossible to ignore.
Will Tanager-1 be enough to shame the polluters and save the planet? Or will the energy industry find a way to evade accountability once again? The battle to uncover the truth about methane emissions has only just begun.
