Global emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have reached the highest levels on record, according to new studies from the Global Carbon Project, a project led by Rob Jackson.

"Cows, oil and gas wells, rice paddies, landfills. These are some of the biggest sources of methane staining the atmosphere today," Rob Jackson and co-authors write in an op-ed describing their newly published studies of global methane emissions.

"Emissions from cattle and other ruminants are almost as large as those from the fossil fuel industry for methane," said Rob Jackson. "People joke about burping cows without realizing how big the source really is."

Worldwide emissions of methane have hit the “highest levels on record”, according to the latest update to the Global Methane Budget from the Global Carbon Project, an initiative chaired by Stanford's Rob Jackson.

Livestock farming and oil and gas production are clearly two engines powering rising methane emissions, says Earth system science professor Rob Jackson.

Research co-authored by Kevin Arrigo of Stanford Earth shows increased phytoplankton biomass is driving a rise in net primary production in the Arctic Ocean, or how fast plants and algae convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into nutrients.

Global emissions of methane rose by 9 percent in the decade through 2017, according to a study from the Global Carbon Project, which is led by Rob Jackson.

"There are a lot policymakers and companies can do to cut methane emissions. But in most places around the world, we aren't doing them," said Rob Jackson.

"Eating less meat or eating more fish and chicken instead of beef will reduce emissions," said Rob Jackson.

“CO₂ is still the beast to slay but warming from methane is the next most important," said Stanford professor Rob Jackson.

“There are a billion and a half more people on Earth than there were in 2000,” said Rob Jackson. “Emissions have gone up because of extra mouths to feed.”

“There’s a hint that we might be able to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions very soon. But we don’t appear to be even close to peak methane,” said Stanford professor Rob Jackson.

The growing influence of phytoplankton biomass on primary production may represent a “significant regime shift” for the Arctic, said senior study author Kevin Arrigo of Stanford Earth.

“We’ve run out of time to build new things in old ways,” said Stanford professor Rob Jackson. What we do now will define the fate of the planet – and human life on it – for decades.

"We expected emissions to increase when lockdowns ease and the economy picks up. What's striking is how fast it is happening," Rob Jackson said.

Noah Diffenbaugh discusses his experience corresponding with Energy Department officials about climate science language used in his federally funded research.