Learn More

By developing renewable energy sustainably and using less fossil fuels, the U.S. can increase its security.

If you have opinions on climate and energy issues, let your legislators know.

Passionate about climate & energy issues? So are we. Want to help?
» Donate Today

Blog


»	Energy Tips

»	Protect Natural Resources

»	Understanding the Policy

»	Work with Legislators

»	Tips for Farms and Businesses

»	Tips for Congregations

Glossary of Terms

Methane
Methane is a greenhouse gas. It exists in much smaller quantities than carbon dioxide, for example, but it is 21 times more powerful in warming the earth’s atmosphere. Methane is also a by-product of ruminant digestion – aka, cows burp it. Depending on what exactly the cows eat, they may burp more or less. If cows eat less digestible foods, then they will burp more (much like your Uncle Harry will, after gobbling a bowl of really hot chili during the Superbowl). On a global scale, ruminant animals burp about 80 million metric tons of methane per year. This accounts for about 28 percent of anthropogenic methane emissions. Hey, why do humans get blamed for the cow burps? Because humans eat the cow meat and drink the cow milk. When animals are raised industrially and concentrated in large feedlots or dairy farms, the methane emissions become concentrated as well. If you an omnivore or non-vegan vegetarian, there are at least three solutions to this problem – (a) for beef and milk, seek out local farmers who raise cows on more digestible natural grasses, as well as buying feedlot-raised or -finished beef at the store, (b) scientists are trying to research feed stocks that will help cattle digest better and burp less, and (c) because there will always be some level of cow burps, no matter what the cows eat, feedlots are experimenting with methods of methane capture, which has the potential to provide an alternate source of electric power generation.
» Back