Both carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) are greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming and climate change. However, methane is considered to be more dangerous to the environment on a per molecule basis than carbon dioxide.

Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, with a global warming potential about 28 times higher than CO2 over a 100-year period. This means that while the amount of methane in the atmosphere is much lower than that of carbon dioxide, it has a greater warming effect than an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.

In addition, methane has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, but it is more efficient at trapping heat in the short term. Methane can persist in the atmosphere for around 12 years, whereas carbon dioxide can persist for centuries.

Methane is primarily emitted through natural sources such as wetlands, as well as from human activities such as livestock farming, natural gas production, and landfills. Carbon dioxide, on the other hand, is primarily emitted through the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other land use changes.

While both carbon dioxide and methane contribute to climate change and are therefore dangerous to the environment, methane is considered to be more dangerous on a per molecule basis. Reducing emissions of both gases is important to address the risks of climate change and protect the environment.