“Methane stays in the atmosphere for approximately 10 years before it is removed. Researchers need to know how much methane is removed to gauge what percentage of emissions are accumulating in the atmosphere, but the methane removal process is difficult to measure. Historically, researchers have relied on chemistry-climate simulations to predict methane removal, but the accuracy of this approach is debated. Professor Qiang Fu and graduate student Cong Dong’s new study presents a value based on satellite data that suggests more methane loss in the stratosphere than previously thought.”