How to cut methane emissions globally and at your own home

About 35% of global human-induced methane comes from oil and gas production, 57% comes from agriculture (mostly livestock) and landfills, and 8% comes from biomass and biofuel burning (wildfires). That’s according to the Global Carbon Project. Photo by Shutterstock.

President Biden was at the United Nations climate summit (COP26) in Glasgow today, announcing that more than 90 countries will try to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by the end of the decade. “This is low-hanging fruit in the emissions battle. … It's a very clear way to reduce future warming, just looking at methane,” says Paasha Mahdavi, UC Santa Barbara professor who studies energy and environmental politics. 

KCRW looks at how human industrial activities produce methane, and how we can change behaviors to reduce those emissions. 

Also, when it comes to the airline industry, the number of people traveling is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels, but fewer flights are happening, and fewer pilots and flight attendants are working. That means higher prices, crowded planes, and more angry passengers, including those who don’t want to wear masks. 

“Good Timing with Jo Firestone,” a documentary streaming on Peacock, looks at how a former writer for “The Tonight Show” started teaching a free online comedy class for seniors ages 66-88 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.