Why aren’t methane and nitrous oxide emissions of greater concern?
Methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are greenhouse gases and are a major concern. Methane is perhaps 20-times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. For modeling and forecasting purposes, methane levels are usually converted into CO2-equivalent values and may not be expressed separately. In Montana, methane is emitted by agricultural practices and livestock management, natural gas and petroleum facilities, coal mining, and wastewater management facilities. Nitrous oxide is perhaps 300-times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Emission sources in Montana are mainly through soil fertilizers and combustion of fossil fuels. As with methane, N2O levels are converted into CO2-equivalent values and may not be expressed separately.
