Methane Is A Greenhouse Gas
Carbon dioxide is probably the most well-known greenhouse gas and the burning of fossil fuels has led to an increase in carbon dioxide which is often blamed for human induced climate change. However, methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas; 21 times more effective at trapping solar radiation than carbon dioxide.
Human activity is increasing the production of methane as well as carbon dioxide and is potentially a major problem for the global climate.
There are a number of sources of methane.
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What is Methane
"Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4. It is the simplest alkane, and the principal component of natural gas. Burning methane in the presence of oxygen produces carbon dioxide and water. The relative abundance of methane and its clean burning process makes it a very attractive fuel."
Major Sources of Methane
2. Termites.
3. Rice Paddies.
4. Landfills.
5. Melting Permafrost.
Whilst some of these sources of methane may seem natural, after a little thought it is clear that humans have had a hand in the increase of methane by all these methods.
An Inconvenient Truth
An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It
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An Inconvenient Truth
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1. Cattle & Other Livestock as a Source of Methane.
The stomachs of cattle and other grazing livestock contain large numbers of bacteria which break down the cellulose in the plants they eat. These bacteria excrete methane which enters the atmosphere via the livestock's mouths and bottoms!Whilst this is a natural process, the numbers of cattle, sheep and goats on earth now are man-made. As humans have cleared forest and created pasture the demand for meat has increased and with it the numbers of methane-belching livestock. Wild ruminants also produce methane but the numbers that would inhabit the natural environments destroyed by intensively cultivated pasture would be much lower.
In this rather strange way mankind has increased the production of methane - a very powerful greenhouse gas.
As undeveloped countries become more developed, the demand for meat increases. This means that unless humans begin to eat less meat the production of methane through livestock is likely to increase.
2. Termites
Termites produce methane in the same way as livestock; the bacteria in their gut help them break down wood and they excrete methane. In fact they excrete a lot of methane, as much as 5 litres per minute for one termite mound. But how are humans responsible for this?Well, in the same way that humans have artificially increased livestock numbers, so termite numbers have increased. As forests are logged, ideal termite habitat is created and so they thrive. At first the relationship between man and termites may seem tenuous, but this is a side effect of deforestation that rarely is discussed.
3. Rice Paddies
Habitats low in oxygen, such as marshy waters, have always been full of the methane-producing bacteria but the huge area under rice cultivation, which is often kept irrigated year round where naturally it would be dry for part of the year, produces huge amounts of methane and rice appears to speed up the process of venting it into the atmosphere.As the world becomes more populated and demand for rice increases, the area under rice agriculture grows, year round rice production is introduced to more regions and the amount of methane produced in this way continues to increase.
4. Landfill Sites
In the region of 30% of all waste which ends up in landfills is capable of rotting. As it rots, methane is produced - that is what can sometimes be seen burning from small chimneys at old landfill sites.In some places this methane is put to good use and pumped into houses for use as domestic gas. However, in most places around the world this does not happen; the methane gas simply seeps out into the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect 21 times more efficiently than carbon dioxide.
5. Melting Permafrost & Warming Oceans
Permafrost is ground which is permanently frozen. However, as the climate warms, either naturally or as a result of man's actions, this permafrost begins to melt. Within this permafrost is locked an enormous amount of methane; this begins to be released into the atmosphere to further increase the greenhouse effect, increasing temperature, melting more permafrost, releasing more methane - a feedback loop which runs out of control.In similar fashion, methane which is locked in the mud of the continental shelves of the oceans becomes free as the waters warm through climate change. This mud may hold trillions of tons of methane which if released would be catastrophic for the Earth's climate.
Learn More about Climate Change
Global Warming and Climate Change Demystified
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Global Warning: The Last Chance for Change
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Climate Change Scepticism
Although many of the arguments put forward against human induced climate change can be relatively easily countered, it is always good to get both sides of the argument before forming an opinion.
Whilst the sceptics can often use inflammatory language to argue their point, equally environmentalists are prone to overstating their case. Reading some of the following in conjunction with books supporting the human-driven climate change theory may help to form a balanced opinion.
Climate Confusion: How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science, Pandering Politicians and Misguided Policies that Hurt the Poor
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 07/04/2009)
Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming
Amazon Price: $14.28 (as of 07/04/2009)
What is the Biggest Threat?
Use this list to vote for which you think is the most influential in increasing the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
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Acknowledgements
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Comments
If you have anything to say on the issue of methane as a greenhouse gas then please leave your comments here.
Apaihai wrote...
I didn't know that rice was bad for environment. I will eat egg noodles and not rice.
Posted June 23, 2009
Gully wrote
I was reading in "The Times" that huge numbers of cattle emit more greenhouse gases than cars and planes.
Posted June 13, 2009
CheekyMonkey wrote...
Interesting lens. This is not something that people talk about very often.
Posted December 02, 2008
chemrat wrote...
Nice lens. I like the way that you offer information about various opinions. We definitely want people to make informed decisions about the environment. I do get frustrated with the skeptics who are skeptical for purely political reasons, but all sides have zealots. I'll lens roll and favorite this!
Posted June 14, 2008
About The Lens Author
Lensmaster nickupton, aka nick upton, has been a member since June 23 2007, has rated 77 lenses, favorited 63, and has created 49 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Thailand Travel Advice: 10 Things To Avoid Doing In Thailand". See all my lenses
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