Methane (CH4) is the primary component of natural gas and an important energy source. Methane is also a greenhouse gas, meaning that its presence in the atmosphere affects the Earth’s temperature and climate system. Due to its relatively short life time in the atmosphere (9-15 years) and its global warming potency—20 times more effective than carbon dioxide (CO2) in trapping heat in the atmosphere—reducing methane emissions should be an effective means to reduce climate warming on a relatively short time scale.