Methane Maker: Method gets to root of gas from rice paddies

In experiments using a rare isotope of carbon, scientists have singled out microorganisms that appear to be largely responsible for natural emissions of the greenhouse gas methane from rice paddies. The finding may lead to methods to trim this major source of planet-warming gas.

In Earth’s atmosphere, natural and industrial greenhouse gases permit sunlight to reach the planet but block heat from escaping to space.