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Garbage Lasagna: Dumps Are a Big Driver of Warming, Study Says

Summary

Landfills, often overlooked as sources of greenhouse gases, are emerging as significant contributors to climate change, according to a study published in Science. Led by researchers including Riley Duren of Carbon Mapper, the study reveals that landfills release methane at nearly three times the rate previously reported to regulators. Using airplane flyovers and imaging spectrometers, scientists detected methane emissions hot spots at over half of the surveyed landfills in the U.S. These emissions, largely stemming from buried trash decomposing without oxygen, contribute substantially to global warming. While efforts to reduce methane emissions from oil, gas, and livestock are underway, the study underscores the urgent need to address landfill methane as part of broader climate mitigation strategies, emphasizing the potential of methane-detecting satellites like those being developed by Carbon Mapper and partners.

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