Turkmenistan Finally Fixing Its ‘Mindboggling’ Methane Mega-Leaks

Turkmenistan has begun plugging the massive methane leaks that escape from its old oil and gas facilities, according to the latest UN data. Experts are calling the move a “breakthrough” for the secretive Central Asian state, which was recently named the world’s worst offender for releasing this potent greenhouse gas. Methane, also known as natural or fossil gas, traps 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide. It is responsible for 25% of today’s global warming. But unlike CO2, methane breaks down quickly in the atmosphere. That means stopping leaks can be fast and cheap—and the effect is immediate. Some scientists call methane reduction the climate’s “emergency brake.” The repairs mark a major shift for Turkmenistan, which had long ignored international pressure to act. While details remain limited, the fact that work has started is being seen as a rare and hopeful sign in the fight against climate change.