What Can We Do to Stop Rising Levels of Methane?

• This podcast explores the reason why methane levels continue to rise at a rapid pace, despite pledges that were made.
• Over 100 world leaders pledged to cut their methane emissions in half by 2030 at COP26 in 2021. Yet, since these pledges were made, methane emissions continue to rise at a rapid pace.
• Listeners will learn about why methane gases are "the bad boys" for the climate, and why politicians are focusing on cutting these gases in particular, as well as some interesting techniques that can be used worldwide to reduce methane gases.

Positives

• This podcast is an accessible, beginner-friendly way for listeners to learn about methane gas, a lesser-known greenhouse gas.
• The podcast features case studies in locations around the globe, including in Dhaka, Bangladesh and California.

Additional Prerequisites

• The podcast switches to climate news at 22:30.
• This podcast assumes that listeners have some prior knowledge and understanding of greenhouse gases and how they contribute to climate change. Students should be familiar with these basic concepts before listening.
  

Differentiation

• Cross-curricular connections can be made in government or civics classes, where students can use this podcast to discuss the dynamics of climate and politics and the impacts of climate pledges in international affairs.
• Advanced students could work on an extension project in which they research one of the proposed solutions to reducing methane gases mentioned in this podcast and analyze its cost and effectiveness.
• Try pairing this resource with this video about methane gases, this data set about methane emissions by sector, and this video about permafrost and feedback loops.

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