A new report from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) warns that global temperatures could rise above 1.5°C in the coming years, a threshold linked to severe climate impacts like extreme weather and ecosystem disruption. This has sparked concerns about the pace and duration of warming, as scientists and policymakers seek ways to limit its effects. In a separate study published in the journal npj Climate Action, researchers from Chalmers University of Technology, including Daniel Johansson, explored a potential strategy to curb peak warming: directly removing methane from the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, though it exists in lower concentrations and breaks down more quickly in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. Johansson explained that while removing methane could temporarily reduce warming, it is not a long-term solution. If methane removal efforts stop, warming would likely return to previous levels, emphasizing the need to combine such methods with permanent reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and other long-term climate strategies. The study compared three types of climate interventions: removing methane from the atmosphere (AMR), removing carbon dioxide (CDR), and using solar radiation management (SRM) to reflect sunlight and cool the planet. Model calculations suggest that AMR could lead to a faster drop in global temperatures than SRM, but if stopped, warming would resume, though more gradually than with SRM. In contrast, CDR has a lasting effect because the removed carbon dioxide is stored permanently. The study also highlights the complexity of methane removal. Methane is present in very low concentrations—around two parts per million in the atmosphere—making it challenging to extract efficiently. Additionally, removing methane could affect atmospheric chemistry, potentially altering interactions between methane and other pollutants. These changes might have unintended consequences for air quality, human health, and ecosystems. The research uses a simplified global climate model, and more detailed models are needed to fully understand these effects. While the study does not assess whether methane removal is ready for practical use, it underscores the potential role of AMR in reducing peak warming if the technology becomes viable. However, much more research is required before such an approach can be considered a reliable climate solution. Technologies for atmospheric methane removal are still in early development, and scientists are working to better understand both their climate benefits and potential risks.