Satellite technology is revolutionizing climate change mitigation. Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite delivers impressive results.
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| Carbon Mapper's Tanager-1 satellite detects and mitigates significant methane leaks, showcasing the power of satellite technology in combating climate change. Image: Carbon Mapper |
San Francisco, California, USA – November 16, 2024:
Carbon Mapper, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, announced a significant milestone on Saturday: the first successful methane mitigation action enabled by its Tanager-1 satellite. Launched in August 2023, Tanager-1 has already detected over 300 methane and CO2 plumes worldwide, providing unprecedented granularity on the sources of these potent greenhouse gases.
On October 9, 2023, Tanager-1 identified a substantial methane leak emanating from a gathering pipeline in the Texas Permian Basin. The data was promptly shared with relevant state agencies and the U.S. government, which in turn notified the facility operator. The operator swiftly responded, taking immediate action to repair the leak. Follow-up observations from Tanager-1 confirmed the successful mitigation of the emissions.
Carbon Mapper estimates that the leak was releasing approximately 7,000 kilograms of methane per hour, equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of 47 gasoline-powered cars. By rapidly identifying and addressing such leaks, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved.
This achievement builds upon Carbon Mapper's previous work with airborne surveys in California and Colorado. These surveys revealed that nearly half of the identified super-emitting events were previously unknown. By leveraging satellite technology, Carbon Mapper aims to expand its impact and accelerate the identification and mitigation of methane leaks globally.
"This early mitigation success story demonstrates the transformative power of satellite technology in addressing climate change," said Riley Duren, CEO of Carbon Mapper. "By providing timely and accurate data on emissions sources, we can empower decision-makers to take swift action and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
To further advance its mission, Carbon Mapper is making new data from Tanager-1 publicly available on its data portal. This data includes detections of methane and CO2 emissions in 34 countries across the oil and gas, waste, and agriculture sectors. By sharing this information, Carbon Mapper aims to foster collaboration, transparency, and accountability in the global effort to combat climate change.
In the coming months, Carbon Mapper will continue to scale up its observations and make methane and CO2 data routinely accessible. This will enable decision-makers to fill gaps in their understanding of emissions sources and implement targeted mitigation strategies. By working together with other organizations, such as the Environmental Defense Fund's MethaneSAT, Carbon Mapper aims to create a comprehensive and robust system for monitoring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.