Friday, December 07, 2007

Kangaroo Bacteria for Global Warming

Last year reports came out blaming cows for contributing excessively to global warming.

Now it appears they may have found a solution. The Telegraph (UK) reported yesterday on kangaroo bacteria.

Scientists in Queensland say they have isolated special bacteria in the stomach lining of kangaroos which, if replicated in sheep and cattle, would significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gas and improve the productivity of farms around the world.

The research team estimates that methane from cattle and sheep accounts for 14 per cent of Australia's total greenhouse gas emission - second only to coal- and gas-powered power stations.

It has been estimated that the average bullock produces 250 litres of methane a day or enough gas to fill a 44 gallon drum.


"By replicating this bacteria not only would they [sheep and cattle] not produce such methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," said Dr Athol Klieve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland Government.

This is great news, especially the extra energy for the cows. If they can get cattle to have this kangaroo bacteria, they can reduce the greenhouse gases, and then maybe Al Gore and all his worshipers will shut up about it.

1 comment:

Charlie said...

I dunno. Do we really want dairy cows jumping around the farm on their hind legs? It wouldn't be very Norman Rockwellish, if you ask me.