Question Details	Asked By	Asked On
New data on global warming..........................	arcura	06/04/06
This information comes from DISCOVER and other sources. Methane in our atmosphere is a significant contributor to global warming and air pollution. The results of testing on live growing plants have shown that they produce significant amounts of methane gas. Plants may be the biggest contributor of methane in the atmosphere. A second major source is from the animals that eat them. Think beans and other flatulence producing foods as an example. A third major source results from the decay of dead matter and feces. These are facts which modern science has discovered. <><><> Now the question is how much reduction of global warming gases would result if farmers quit growing crops and animals quit eating plants? Will you contribute to the effort by not planting and growing flowers or whatever and stop eating plants? I won’t Fred
Answered By		Answered On
rsalier		06/05/06
Fred, Yes, there is a body of science that demonstrates that methane is produced as a by product of decaying matter and in very small quantities by plants themselves growing in very unique environments. These have always been with us as the plant has evolved. However, as we tap into the trapped natural gas formations, coal, oil and other forms of fossil fuels, we humans reintroduce methane into the atmosphere. It is this additional methane produced from fossil fuels which is out of balance with the natural cycles that has increased the atmospheric methane and has brought about the impact on global warming. The best way to help stabilize methane in the atmosphere is to reduce the amount we humans convert from fossil fuels. Secondly, is to use the methane we do produce in a more efficient way by converting it to direct energy using fuel cells. This breaks the methane down in to Carbon and Water. The Carbon can be used for a host of applications as can the water (clean enough to drink out of the converter). Third, Renewable resources like wind, solar and water can and should be used to reduce our dependance on fossil fuels. Together, we could reduce the impact of increased Methane in the atmosphere. So don't worry about the farmers, meat production or planting and eating, these have such a miniscule impact that it fits into the natural cycle.

Additional Options and ratings are only visible when you login!