METHANE PROBLEM

by David Nuttle

Methane gas along with CO2 are the two greenhouse gases reportedly responsible for global warming. Many concerned with this problem want to eliminate all cows since their farts and burps contain a high percentage of methane. Recent studies have indicated that the bromoform in the Red Algae Asparagopsis is a natural methane inhibitor. If added to a cows and other ruminant livestock feed, methane emissions are reduced not less than 90 percent. The "war" against cows was a total waste of time by persons in a panic over our global warming.

Termite farts from giant tropical termite mounds produce considerable methane gas. Numbers of these mounds may be reduced with no reported environmental harm. Flooded paddies of rice plants also produce methane, so there is more focus on growing upland dry rice. Our coal mines produce methane, but barriers may be put in place to block where this gas may be escaping. Burning of fossil fuels produces methane, but the development of alternative energy is reducing these methane levels. Flaring (burning) of oilfield gas produces methane, but solutions are being explored. Landfills produce considerable methane but Red Algae may be grown and added to same to provide bromoform to inhibit production of methane. Wetlands produce methane by the anaerobic decomposition of biomass. This is one source of methane with no current means of reducing methane gas volume. Warming of our globe thaws permafrost areas and releases methane trapped there. As we begin to solve global warming problems, permafrost will no longer be significant source of methane.

Given our improving abilities to deter methane release, global warning may not continue to be a major threat. As an example, landfill methane may now be mostly eliminated by use of plasma generators to convert all solid waste to green electricity.