Russian gas pipelines emitted more methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in 2020 than the previous year despite a coronavirus-related slump in demand, the European Space Agency has said.
Citing analysis of its satellite images by the data firm Kayrros, the ESA said Thursday that methane emissions increased by 40% despite a 14% drop in Russian gas exports to Europe and a 10% drop in global methane emissions.
The ESA linked the methane emissions to “easily and cost-effectively” avoidable practices during routine maintenance operations.
“The climate footprint of these operational practices is enormous,” said Kayrros president Antoine Rostand, who equated the emissions to 3 million tons of carbon dioxide.
The Kayrros analysis detected 46 large methane emission events along Russian pipelines carrying natural gas into Europe in 2019-2020. Energy analysts attributed the 40% spike in methane emissions from flaring and venting to a drop in energy prices and lack of maintenance during the pandemic, according to the Climate Home News outlet.
The International Energy Agency, which names Russia and the United States as the world’s top emitters of methane in absolute numbers, said global methane emissions dropped 10% in 2020 due to reduced output.
The European Union, the world’s largest gas importer, said last fall it was considering imposing binding methane emissions standards as it aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
Reuters had named Kayrros’ research part of a growing effort to find the biggest methane leaks through technology.
In addition to leaky pipelines and infrastructure, methane is emitted from unused coal mines and farming.
‘Mandalorian’ Spaceship Lands in Siberia
Fans of the Star Wars spinoff series “The Mandalorian” now have the chance to visit a life-size copy of the spaceship featured in the show. All it takes is traveling to…the remote Far East Russian city of Yakutsk.
Cosplayer Ayaal Fyodorov and his friends built the replica of the Razor Crest, the gunship used by the show’s titular bounty hunter, during the coronavirus lockdown. It now sits at a local park where fans can take photos with it — costumes optional.
The futuristic military spacecraft’s replica is 14 meters long and weighs just over 1,000 kilograms. The impressive structure was designed and built using pictures found online and was mostly funded by the creators themselves.
“When we decided to add more precise details to the cockpit, we realized that we didn’t have enough money but also didn’t want to abandon everything halfway in,” Fyodorov told the state-run TASS news agency.
“Our Instagram followers helped us. When we called for assistance, they helped us raise the needed funds. The Yakutsk IT park, a local private company, helped us rent a hangar, the only place where the structure could fit.”
According to Fyodorov, the Yakutsk replica is the first of its kind and was built to show that even the seemingly impossible can become reality.
The series’ title character Din Djarin was already spotted inside the Yakutian spaceship alongside his companion, The Child (better known as Baby Yoda).
The Siberian replica of the spacecraft also has a Baby Yoda-sized car seat, ensuring a safe and comfortable passage through space for the beloved miniature alien.
