How does methane compare to carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse gas potency per molecule?

Methane is significantly more powerful than carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse gas potency per molecule. Specifically, methane has a much greater heat-trapping ability in the atmosphere. Over a 20-year period, methane can be more than 80 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide. This potency is due to methane's molecular structure, which helps it absorb infrared radiation more efficiently than CO2.

While carbon dioxide is more prevalent in the atmosphere and has a longer atmospheric lifetime, the short-term impacts of methane on climate change are much more pronounced. This is particularly important when considering both immediate and long-term climate action strategies, where reducing methane emissions can yield rapid climate benefits. Understanding the relative potency of greenhouse gases like methane and carbon dioxide is crucial for developing effective policies aimed at mitigating climate change.