ClimateJuly 14, 2026
megatonne
/ˈmɛɡəˌtʌn/
Definition
A unit of mass equal to one million metric tonnes, frequently used in this context to quantify industrial carbon dioxide emissions.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek prefix 'mega-' meaning 'great' or 'million,' combined with the French 'tonne' or 'tun,' referring to a large cask or weight unit. It entered English to describe massive physical quantities.
In the news
The article uses the term to compare the volume of greenhouse gas emissions produced by oilsands expansion against the smaller amount of emissions captured by the Pathways project. It serves as a scale to highlight the climate impact of industrial energy projects.
Oilsands emissions on track to outpace reductions from Pathways project: economist
Read the full article ↗Kelowna Courier