Kangaroo Flatus: Unlikely Climate Hero
by Stacy Feldman - Dec 3rd, 2007
Kangaroo flatulence contains no global warming-inducing methane. Compare them with livestock, whose methane-filled farts are wreaking havoc on the world's climate:
While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.
"Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric methane from cattle and sheep," said Athol Klieve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland state government.
"And if you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 percent," he told AFP.
Yikes. Not something the tourist boards "down under" are making much noise about.
It's no wonder scientists are trying to isolate the bacteria that makes kangaroo farts so climate-friendly and transfer them to their gassier bovine counterparts.
If only we could figure out how to turn the roo exhaust into car and home heating oil.
(Source: Ecotality)
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