One Pollutant, Many Healthy Lives Affected: The Human Dimensions of Methane

Reducing methane from oil and gas is one of the fastest ways to slow near-term warming, but the discussion is usually limited to emissions numbers, technical standards, and climate targets. Often overlooked are the people living and working near oil and gas operations, farms, and waste sites, who may face air pollution and other health and safety risks. In the oil and gas sector, flaring and venting can release toxic pollutants associated with headaches, breathing problems, asthma, heart disease, and increased cancer risk. Residents and workers around landfills may experience odors, fires, unsafe conditions, and other pollution, while waste pickers and nearby communities can be overlooked in decisions about reform. This conversation will look beyond the numbers to consider what the activities that produce methane mean for people living near wells, pipelines, compressor stations and flare stacks, and exploring how methane reductions can deliver climate benefits while also taking account of health, livelihoods, and local knowledge.