Cows and Greenhouse Gases
We often forget that CO2 isn’t the only greenhouse gas, and that fossil fuel consumption is not the only contributor to global warming. In fact, even if we’re completely successful in making the migration to renewable energy, we still have serious issues associated with the raising of cows and other ruminants, animals that have contributed 14% of the total GHGs to our atmosphere since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, mostly through the production of methane, an emission 25 times stronger than CO2.
The point of the article is a possible breakthrough in the genetic re-engineering of cows and sheep. Of course, the more immediate and pragmatic answer is obvious (see pic above).
Graig,
What is it with Americans ? There really is a strong streak of your Puritan ancestors alive isn’t there ? The abolitionist runs deep !
But I have some good news !
For many years now there have been a lot of research done on a simple method of genetically modifying ruminants to cease producing high volumes of methane as a digestive by product.
(I must declare my self interest as I’m an early investor).
Methane production in ruminants is not “natural” and is actually harmful to the animals health ! The first successfully bred animals with a naturally recurring genetic disposition to produce less methane are in existence, and although for obvious reasons the development remains secretive, within the next seven years the first animals will pass all agricultural testing and be ready to be released.
The program with take time, but eventually even wild animals will no longer be problem methane producers !
I realize that maybe a bit of a set back for ardent Vegans, but good news for the rest of us of the omnivorous persuasion:).
There are also indirect contributions to greenhouse gas emissions – such as where forest is converted to pasteur so losing a substantial natural carbon sink, and degrading forest habitats. This has in the past occurred widely within the Amazon basin