methane

Methane (CH₄) is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that is the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas. It is a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential many times greater than that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, making it a significant contributor to climate change. Methane is produced both naturally and through human activities, such as the decomposition of organic matter in wetlands, the digestive processes of ruminant animals, and the extraction and transport of fossil fuels.