Cows contributing to climate catastrophe?
Methane. Methane is the largest component of natural gas, and is a relatively clean-burning fuel. When released to the atmosphere, it is also a potent greenhouse gas. Although a very small fraction of the earth’s atmosphere, methane is over 20 times more effective than cabon dioxide at trapping heat.
Sources of methane emissions? There are many natural sources of methane, but it is estimated that 60% of all methane emissions each year are due to human-related (anthropogenic) activities, such as:
- Decomposition of waste material in landfills, which accounts for approximately 24% of the anthropogenic emissions;
- Losses that occur during the production, processing, storage, transmission, and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, 23%; and
- Enteric fermentation, 21%.
Enteric fermentation? That’s part of the digestive process of ruminant livestock, such as cattle, sheep and goats. These animals have a multi-chambered stomach that allows them to digest tough and fiberous plant materials. Bacteria in the gut aids the digestion–and produces methane, which the animal typically exhales or passes.
According to the EPA, there are approximately 100 million cattle in the US, and about 1.2 billion large ruminants worldwide. In the US, cattle account for nearly all the methane emitted by enteric fermentation, which itself produces almost three times as much methane as cattle manure does–very surprising to anyone, like me, who’s ever spent time working on a farm.
Agricultural census data indicate that New Hampshire had about 22,000 head of cattle in the most recent count (2002).
Posted: Thursday, Mar 29, 2007 9:20 pm by adam
File as: Climate Impact; NH and Seacoast Area
Comments
Comment from alex
Time: Friday, Mar 30, 2007, 8:05 am
Please consider viewing the video and participating in the Action - Alert; Thanks Alex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0bNGjX6pYg
Global warming is a matter of national security. Will we live in a world where we must fight our neighbors for fresh water and food? Or will we take the lead now and leave to our children and grandchildren a world better off than the one we inherited from our parents?
Shoulder-to-shoulder, let’s march together to save what God loaned us, so our children and their children will live in a world we would recognize a hundred years from now. No excuses. No apologies. Take the first step today. We can’t do it without you. - Wes Clark
Comment from Janice
Time: Sunday, Apr 8, 2007, 2:08 pm
Very interesting article! Someone apparently patented a device to capture the “escaping air” from cattle and reuse it, or in scientific terms, “Process for the utilization of ruminant animal methane emissions.”
http://www.patentlysilly.com/patent.php?patID=6982161
Janice
Comment from adam
Time: Sunday, Apr 8, 2007, 11:38 pm
That might make cow hampshire look a little strange!
I’ve also read that by modifying the cow’s diet, the production of methane can be reduced.
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Time: Monday, Apr 9, 2007, 2:47 pm
Are COWS contributing to climate catastrophe?
Comment from Saving Simply
Time: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007, 9:40 am
While I’m not one of those militant vegetarians, we would all be wise to eat less meat, simply because of the inefficiency of the global livestock sector.
Comment from adam
Time: Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007, 4:39 pm
I am not a vegetarian of any stripe, but I do agree your idea has merit.
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