Even though I now have hundreds of interesting climate articles to write about, I figure that burps in space have priority.
“In space, no-one can hear you belch – at least, not for the time being. New Zealand has announced mission control for a new satellite that will orbit the earth observing methane produced by burps or other flatulence from cows.
“The digestive processes of its 6.3 million-strong cow population are among New Zealand’s most critical environmental problems. Agriculture is one of the country’s biggest producers of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global heating and climate breakdown.
“Last year, global methane rose to the highest levels on record, driven by farming and fossil fuel use. Methane makes up 43% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and more than 80% of that is produced by agriculture, primarily through the digestive processes of large ruminant animals.”
Typically, T-Rex-sized dairy cows.
“Local greenhouse-gas researcher Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher, who will lead that research effort, told Stuff the satellite would use New Zealand as a testing ground for checking the accuracy of its agri-methane detection, comparing the satellite’s own measurements with the New Zealand government’s. Because many countries don’t keep accurate or comprehensive records on agricultural emissions, the research could help scientists and politicians establish how much methane is actually being produced by animal farming.”
It’ll be really interesting to see if NZ is doing better—or worse—than it thought it was.
[Cover photo: William West/AFP/Getty Images]