Atmospheric methane (CH₄) tracker

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Interpretation

Globally averaged methane at marine surface sites, in parts per billion (ppb). Monthly means are centered on the middle of each month; the trend has the average seasonal cycle removed. The decadal rate compares the average of the 10 years up to each month with the average of the 10 years before. Annual increases are NOAA's own figures (the change in the trend from January 1 of one year to the next). Recent months are preliminary, and NOAA notes that first estimates can be too high by several ppb. Pre-industrial (1750) level: about 729 ppb (IPCC AR6). Data: Lan, X., K.W. Thoning and E.J. Dlugokencky, Trends in globally-averaged CH₄, N₂O and SF₆ determined from NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory measurements (gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends_ch4).