Garbage dumps have a detrimental effect on the planet due to uncontrolled methane leaks. Experts from the Environmental Protection Agency (EA) came to this conclusion. Study publishes Science magazine.
The study was conducted in 2018-2022 at 50 landfills in 18 US states. This is approximately 20 percent of the 1.2 thousand large waste collection areas operating in the country.
According to study participant and founder of the Carbon Mapper organization Riley Duren, previously humanity did not fully understand the role of landfills in climate change. Experts have concluded that methane emissions in such areas occur three times more often than official data. Experts also compared the annual emissions of this gas to the harmful effects of 23 million cars.
Large amounts of methane can be released due to the decomposition of food waste in oxygen-deprived conditions. This is possible if the organic remains are deep under the rubble of other debris, the researchers noted. They also suggested that emissions may be associated with leaking special pipes that collect methane released from rotting garbage.
#Landfills #blamed #global #warming
2024-04-02 11:57:35