Which option identifies methane reduction as a mitigation strategy?

• A. Expanding natural gas production
• B. Avoiding methane controls
• C. Methane reduction
• D. Deforestation without policy

Answer: (C)

Mitigation actions aim to lower greenhouse gas emissions, and methane reduction fits that goal because methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a strong short-term warming impact. Reducing methane emissions cuts warming quickly, since methane stays in the atmosphere for a relatively short time compared to CO2. This makes methane reduction an effective near-term strategy across sectors like oil and gas, landfills, and agriculture. The other choices don’t describe a mitigation action: expanding natural gas production can increase emissions through leaks; avoiding methane controls would allow more methane to escape; deforestation without policy removes carbon storage and raises atmospheric CO2. So the option that states methane reduction is the one that identifies a mitigation strategy.