Cow poop emits climate-warming methane. Adding red algae may help - eviltoast

Adding a type of methane-inhibiting red algae directly to cow feces cut down methane emission from the poop by about 44 percent, researchers report.

  • MantidSys@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    This has been known for at least a decade now, and no changes have been made. I’ve even seen estimates on how little it would cost to modify the feed, and it’s negligible, but any extra cost is too much cost I suppose.

    • Spzi@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      That’s why carbon pricing is such an interesting tool. Make the desired option the cheaper option and it will be adopted.

  • Nessussus@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    @readbeanicecream I think the economy is largely going to make the decision. Lab-grown meats are going to get better and cheaper until most feedlot meat can’t compete anymore. You’ll still have the aspirational meats, but it will still be debatable whether they’re worth the extra money other than bragging rights.

  • altair222@beehaw.org
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    1 year ago

    oh come on, instead of going against billionaire jets this is what we are doing? covering poops?

    • Gutotito@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Believe it or not, it’s a laudable goal. Cow feces is responsible for about 40% (yes, really) of methane production worldwide, and methane is several times more impactful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. I called bullshit (heh) the first time I heard these stats, too, but they’re real.

  • Q67916tJ6Z0aWM@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Yes. I’m sure this is absolutely a real problem and that eliminating cows will be the best solution. Only the world elite should have access to to ruminant meats so that they can fuel their big brains that work on our behalf 20 hours a day. Our meager toil may be supported by plants, bugs, and lab grown proteins.

    This reduction of beef production could then be feasibility made green with the commercialized growth and distribution of red algae which I’m certain will be done entirely with solar energy and not fossil fueled generators and trucks. We will even make the solar panels themselves biodegradable.

    • Nessussus@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      @Q67916tJ6Z0aWM I see you have some science-deniers giving you had hard time. Beef production is incredibly inefficient, doesn’t produce any new nutrients that didn’t go into the cow, and produces huge amounts of greenhouse gases. Whether the solution is red algae or lab-grown meat, I can’t say, but it’s going to get harder and harder to justify. Of course, the “but-my-burger!” snowflakes are going to have a melt down, but it’s coming.

      @readbeanicecream

      • TimeSquirrel@kbin.social
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        1 year ago

        If you read more carefully, that comment is dripping with sarcastic conspiracy theory bullshit. They aren’t saying bring on the lab meat. They are saying the opposite.