The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (or NOAA) recently reported that the atmospheric gas methane increased in 2022. NOAA is the U.S. weather agency. It also studies the substances in the atmosphere. NOAA said methane in the atmosphere had its fourth-highest yearly increase since measurements have taken place. The agency said the increase was part of a rise in greenhouse gases that it called “alarming.” Greenhouse gases are linked to warming in the Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists pay a lot of attention to carbon dioxide for its part in warming. But they also are concerned about methane because it traps more heat. If measured over 20 years, methane is said to trap about 87 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Methane is a gas released, or emitted, from living things and carbon substances. Farm animals, microorganisms, waste, oil, and natural gas all can release methane.