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Story summary
- A study published in Science finds the 2020 rise in atmospheric methane during the COVID-19 pandemic mainly arose from reduced human emissions that weakened methane breakdown, causing a 16.2 ppb increase.
- La Niña–driven extreme wet conditions in tropical Africa increased emissions from wetlands and agriculture.
- By 2023, methane levels stabilized as these conditions normalized.
- Researchers urge urgent climate action as methane's rapid rise signals environmental changes.
