Methane: a hidden danger to our communities, health, and farms
Breathing in harmful air - right in our backyard
Methane is an invisible gas, but its impacts are anything but hidden. In Queensland's Bowen Basin and other mining regions, methane leaks from coal and gas mines are making the air we breathe unsafe. Families are dealing with more asthma attacks in children, and the elderly are suffering from increased respiratory problems—all because of this silent pollutant.
When methane leaks into the atmosphere, it reacts with other gases to form ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant that worsens air quality. Queensland already has some of the highest asthma rates in Australia, and methane is making the problem even worse. It’s not just discomfort—long-term exposure to polluted air is linked to higher rates of heart disease, lung infections, and even premature death. Our most vulnerable—children and the elderly—are facing daily health risks.
Our farms are struggling - and methane isn't helping
Methane pollution is also taking a toll on Queensland’s farms. Farmers are battling methane’s impact through climate change’s broader effects—like droughts and heat stress that make it harder to raise healthy livestock.
What’s worse, farmers are being asked to reduce their own methane emissions, while coal companies continue to pollute with little regulation. The unfair burden is placing Queensland’s farming communities under enormous pressure, threatening both livelihoods and the food supply.
Our natural wonders are suffering
Queensland’s natural wonders, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Glass House Mountains, are being pushed to the brink by methane-driven climate change. Coral bleaching events are becoming more frequent, and forests are losing their ability to absorb carbon, becoming more vulnerable to pests and bushfires.
Without action to reduce methane emissions, we risk losing the landscapes and species that make Queensland unique. The future of these natural wonders depends on our willingness to act now.