The Methane Indicator highlights areas in the community with elevated ambient methane concentrations above the typical background level. While the MI reports the levels of methane from all sources, elevated methane levels most likely reflect emissions from gas infrastructure, landfills, oil and gas wells, and sewage, given the context.

Aclima’s algorithms identify dangerous leaks that pose a combustion risk, in which case the local gas utility is immediately notified out of an abundance of caution for public safety. The purpose of the MI is to detect methane leaks at any level to reduce the effect methane has on public safety and exacerbating global climate change, the latter since it is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to carbon dioxide. Methane also has a shorter atmospheric lifetime than CO2, so achieving methane reductions may have a more rapid effect on reducing global warming.

Please note: In the event that Aclima’s monitoring indicates a methane leak at such a scale that may pose a threat to human health or become a combustion risk, the local gas utility is immediately notified out of an abundance of caution for public safety.