Cow Burps Are Warming the Planet

Reactions Science Videos | March 20, 2018

Learn more about CuriosityStream at https://curiositystream.com/reactions (CODE: reactions) Cows burp up a lot of methane thanks to the chemistry of their digestion. And since methane is a greenhouse gas, our beef and dairy have huge climate change consequences. This week on Reactions, we cover the gassy science of cow guts.

Sources:

Revised methane emissions factors and spatially distributed annual carbon fluxes for global livestock

Climate change and livestock: Impacts, adaptation, and mitigation

How Bad of a Greenhouse Gas Is Methane?

Global Warming Potential Values

Methanogens: Methane Producers of the Rumen and Mitigation Strategies

Effects of Essential Oils on Methane Production and Fermentation by, and Abundance and Diversity of, Rumen Microbial Populations

Canada Is Using Genetics to Make Cows Less Gassy

German cows cause methane blast in Rasdorf

Taxon-specific associations between protozoal and methanogen populations in the rumen and a model rumen system

Cow power coming to California

This Is How You Turn Cow Fart Gas Into Energy

Digestive System

Microbial ecosystem and methanogenesis in ruminants.

Key facts and findings

Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM)

Ever wonder why dogs sniff each others' butts? Or how Adderall works? Or whether it's OK to pee in the pool? We've got you covered: Reactions a web series about the chemistry that surrounds you every day. Produced by the American Chemical Society.