How are cow burps contributing to climate change?
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Audience
Primary school, Secondary school -
Learning stage
Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4 -
Learning area
Climate change, Science -
Type
Learning resources
On this page...
The Earth’s climate is changing, in large part due to greenhouse gases being introduced into our atmosphere at an alarming rate. Greenhouse gases trap heat in our atmosphere, causing an overall increase in global temperature.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up nearly 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. CO2 is produced primarily though the burning of fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and oil). Methane (CH4), the next most prevalent greenhouse gas, makes up 11% of global emissions and is produced during the production and transport of fossil fuels and by livestock.
Livestock produce methane in large quantities as a part of their digestive process. Of the animals which produce methane, including pigs, sheep, goats, and more, cows emit by far the most. What is so bad about the methane being released? And is there anything we can do to change it? Watch Charlotte’s video below to find out!
About the video
Cattle farming produces large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, but a possible solution might live in the sea. In A More Polite Belch, Charlotte uses humour and engaging graphics to show that by adding the red seaweed, Asparagopsis, to animal feed, the digestion of cows and sheep can be modified to drastically reduce their methane output.
