Last month, the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite displayed interesting data while imaging the Indonesian region. The satellite, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) in October 2017, identified three hotspots of methane emissions in Java. First, the Galuga landfill in Bogor with a figure of 1200 kg/hour. Second, the Rawa Kucing landfill in Tangerang with methane emissions of 590 kg/hour, and finally the Cilowong landfill in Serang, whose figures were not detected, but was identified as producing the largest emissions.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and the second largest contributor to climate warming after carbon dioxide. A ton of methane, despite its shorter lifespan of about 10 years in the atmosphere, can trap 30 times more heat than a ton of carbon dioxide for a century. This means that methane is a major factor in global warming. Methane is commonly found in industrial facilities, such as oil and gas operations, coal mines, or landfills, public facilities that are closest to people.

Read more from Dr. Zainal Arifin article on Manajemen ISMS Column at kompas.id -click here-