Reduce ruminant methane emissions via seaweed
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (about 30-70x CO2, depending on time-scale). Cow belching comprises the largest proportion of human-caused emissions. Studies have found giving a certain type of red seaweed to cows can reduce their methane emissions by up to 80%. RISC should partner with major agricultural companies and/or restaurant chains to pilot and further study the solution.
Comments
If cow burps and farts release so much methane, why haven't we pressured "Big Meat" to develop and implement a methane capture plan? Even if the cows spend their whole lives in a system of tents so that their off-gassing is more easily controlled, is that a significantly worse existence than what they already experience?
I've been wondering if it would be possible to capture the methane from the indoor facilities at feed lots. We could install mechanical systems that circulate the air from inside these facilities and capture the methane for energy production.
For reference:
Roque BM, Venegas M, Kinley RD, de Nys R, Duarte TL, et al. (2021) Red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis) supplementation reduces enteric methane by over 80 percent in beef steers. PLOS ONE 16(3): e0247820. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247820