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Scientists have measured cow burps for the first time from space.
This may seem odd, but cows release methane into their dung when they burp. The atmosphere of Earth, and methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas or a gas that contributes global warming, is also available.
To be clear, cows did nothing wrong by simply passing gas. Research is being done to determine if the agriculture industry is contributing to climate changes, given that human activity continues to be the main driver of greenhouse gases emissions.
Researchers used high-resolution satellites from Montreal-based GHGSat Inc. for the new study to analyze methane emissions from Bear 5 cow farm near Bakersfield. The lot was emitting methane at a rate of 977 pounds (443 kg) to 1,472.69 lbs (668 kg) per hour on February 2.
If these emissions continued for a year, it could add up to more than 5,000 tons of methane the Earth’s atmosphere. According to a statement.
Similar: Satellites detect huge amounts of undeclared methane emissions
“This has not been done at an institutional scale for the Agriculture sectorBrody Wight, a GHGSat Sales Director, stated the same in the same statement. “The idea is to measure first before you can actually take positive action.”
It might seem that cow farts and cow burps are more important than cow farts in terms of methane emissions. Flatulence, which is about 5% of methane produced by cattle, makes up only a small portion. According to the statement, the rest comes from cows’ burping. This is methane that is released through the nose of a cow. Because gases are created in cows’ stomachs when they digest grass and other foods, burping is a common activity.
Agriculture has the largest methane emission source and has a significant influence on climate change. According to the International Energy Agency. The agriculture industry contributes roughly 10.5% of all greenhouse gasses in the U.S., According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On January 1, there were 91.9million cows and calves on American farms. USDA reported separately.
Despite the industry’s huge size and high greenhouse gas emissions, this measurement is the first of its kind to be made from space using satellites.
Wight stated that methane from cows can be difficult to track on ground because they emit diffuse gases, which means they blow around in winds. Satellite observations are crucial in obtaining data about methane emissions by cattle on Earth. There are many advantages to measuring methane from space, including the ability to scan large areas of the planet’s surface simultaneously.
Wight stated that “Finding large sources quickly is the best way to have an effect in the near-term.”
Wight stated that GHGSat aims at increasing their satellite observations. They will go from scanning Earth every week using two satellites to scanning daily with a fleet 10 satellites by the beginning of next year.
Chelsea Gohd can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on twitter @SpacedotcomAnd on Facebook.
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