Lakes across Africa are working quietly to combat climate change by neutralizing methane, one of the most potent greenhouse gases. New research from 79 African lakes reveals that methane-eating microbes attached to phytoplankton are capturing over 70% of dissolved methane before it escapes into the atmosphere.

The study, published in Nature, found that the most productive lakes—those rich in plant life—host the highest levels of these helpful microbes. Even more promising: as lakes become more productive due to natural processes or nutrient inputs, the methane-eating capacity grows even faster than methane production itself. This means eutrophication, often considered an environmental problem, may actually trigger a natural brake on methane emissions in these ecosystems. Read the full story →

Today's takeaway: Nature's own methane-fighting system in African lakes offers hope that some ecosystems can self-regulate against climate threats.