# The unexplored frontier of methane removal

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2024-10-24
- Length: 40m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal

## Summary

Dr. Gabrielle Dreyfus, Chief Scientist at the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development, chairs the committee behind a National Academy of Sciences report on atmospheric methane removal. She explains that while methane concentration is 200 times lower than CO2, its high global warming potential makes removal impactful, and unlike CO2, it can be oxidized into CO2 rather than sequestered. The discussion covers five technological pathways: methane reactors, concentrators, surface treatments, ecosystem uptake enhancement, and atmospheric oxidation enhancement, all of which are currently at very early research stages.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=1) Introduction: The challenge of atmospheric methane removal
- [4:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=296) Defining atmospheric vs. point-source methane removal
- [8:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=525) Why remove methane? Hard-to-abate sources and lifetime
- [10:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=644) Comparing methane removal to CO2 removal
- [18:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=1137) Technological pathway 1: Methane reactors
- [23:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=1409) Technological pathway 2: Methane concentrators
- [26:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=1562) Technological pathway 3: Surface treatments
- [29:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=1752) Technological pathway 4: Ecosystem uptake enhancement
- [34:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=2099) Technological pathway 5: Atmospheric oxidation enhancement
- [37:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-10-24-the-unexplored-frontier-of-methane-removal#t=2256) Future research agenda and funding needs

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Institute For Governance & Sustainable Development (company)
- National Academy of Sciences (other)
- EnergyHub (company)

## Citing this page

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