Higher temperatures on the surface of the earth are themselves fuelling a further increase in emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas with a significant role in global warming.
Researchers used satellite measurements of the atmospheric concentration of methane as well as data relating to surface temperature changes and variations in surface water.
The findings also show which regional wetland emissions are most sensitive to changes in flooding and extreme temperatures. This will help scientists predict future climate change.
These findings highlight the compound effect of increasing global warming ? higher temperatures lead to faster warming. Our study reinforces the idea that satellites can pinpoint changes in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted from a particular place on earth. This opens the door to quantifying greenhouse gas emissions made from a variety of natural and man-made sources.
