How did atmospheric methane concentrations change from preindustrial times to the early 2020s?

Atmospheric methane (CH${}_4$) concentrations have risen significantly since the preindustrial era. During preindustrial times, methane levels in the atmosphere were approximately 700 parts per billion (ppb). By the early 2020s, these concentrations had increased substantially, exceeding 1,915 ppb by the fall of 2022.12

This rise is driven primarily by human activities, which account for roughly 70 percent of total annual methane emissions. Major anthropogenic sources include livestock farming, rice cultivation, the combustion of biomass, the decomposition of organic matter in landfills, and the use of coal and natural gas. These current concentrations are well above the natural levels observed for at least the past 650,000 years.12