Greenhouse gases Essay Example for Free

Greenhouse gases EssayGases that trap heat in the airwave atomic number 18 a great deal called babys room gases (Environmental rampart Agency, 1). Some greenhouse gases, such(prenominal) as carbon dioxide, overhaul grasscelly and argon emitted into the air through natural processes and human activity. Other greenhouse gases are emitted wholly through human activity. These include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases (Environmental Protection Agency, 1). Carbon dioxide is emitted through the burning of fogey fuels as well as through solid waste and tree and wood products.Methane is emitted during the transport of coal, natural gas and oil. Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities. Fluorinated gases are emitted through a variety of industrial processes (Environmental Protection Agency, 1). These are all dangerous emissions that have a serious impact on the integrity of the environment. However, on that point are ma ny natural processes that can cause an emission of greenhouse gases and these get far less(prenominal) attention than those associated with human activity.Cattle numbers have to a greater extent than tripled in the last ten eld (Hao, et al, 376). An analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions of these increasing oxen herds as compared to automobiles and planes is offered. The Problem with Cattle Associated with intensification of livestock trading operations in an join ond amount of feedlot spread out produced each year (Hao, et al, 376). Typically, oxen manure is disposed of by applying it directly to worlds. However, this has created environmental concerns (Hao, et al, 376).Composting manure before applying it to fields has been suggested as an alternative because it stifles odor, pathogens, weeds and fly instruction potential (Hao, et al, 376). However, it has overly been shown that composting the manure before application contributes to emissions of greenhouse gases (Hao, et al, 376). The process of composting the manure results in an amplification in several different gases including methane and carbon dioxide. As the manure is composted, heat is generated and the temperature of the compost increases. As the temperature increases, greenhouse gas emissions also increase (Hao, et al, 384). Finally, composted manure can be trucked further distances which also adds to the boilers suit greenhouse gas emissions associated with kine manure (Hao, et al, 376). It is the by products of the daunts that cause a large part of the general greenhouse gas emissions related to the livestock trade. The chemical composition of the by products are what contribute to an increase in greenhouse gases.Therefore, as cattle herds increase so does their by products which, in turn, increases gas emissions. worldwidely, methane emissions from cattle are five to six per centum of total emissions while nitrogen emissions are seven percent of total emissions (Hao, et al, 37). As the cattle herds grow the amount of manure that is produces also grows and this results in an increase in overall greenhouse gas emissions over time. When manure is composted it is required to remain in one vest over a long period of time.As the manure composts its temperature increases which only adds to the greenhouse gas emissions that comes from the manure Therefore, it can be shown that greenhouse gas emissions from cattle are larger than greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and planes, specially as the global number of cattle herds increases so does global output of methane and nitrogen. These greenhouse gas emissions are far to a greater extent(prenominal) than dangerous than the emissions from automobiles and planes. While sustainable development has received global attention it has limit influence on the transportation celestial sphere (Bartle, 214).While community all over the world are attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by also reducing thei r driving and/or purchasing more efficient vehicles, the United States air industry is unsustainable and forecasted trends suggest that this worry will get worse (Bartle, 214). contemporary pollution control policies do non adequately address the issues associated with greenhouse gas emissions and sheet use. However, there are many reforms and new policies being considered in order to make air travel more sustainable while also reducing total greenhouse gas emissions during go.While automobile and airplane travel have the capacity and ability to find new and innovative ways to reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions, this is much more difficult for the cattle industry given the rapid increases in cattle herd size as well as manure output. Further, livestock are a leading source of greenhouse gas emissions but much more vehemence is placed on how to reduce emissions from automobiles and airplanes and much less focus is placed on how to reduce emissions within the livestoc k field (LA Times, 1).The cattle and livestock industry contributes more silent and deadly emissions than the entire world transportation sector (LA Times, 1). Many politicians and environmentalists do not realize the enormous puzzle that cattle emissions really are and often scoff at how much greenhouse gas they emit but livestock emissions are no joke (LA Times, 1). Further, much of the focus is placed on carbon dioxide and the majority of people do not realize the detrimental implications of methane and nitrous oxide two major emissions from cattle. These two gases are more efficient at trapping heat in the environment than carbon dioxide is.Methane has twenty-one times the potential for heat times than carbon dioxide does and cows can produce up to one 100 thirty gallons of methane per cow per daytime (LA Times, 1). Environmentalists tend to focus more on the greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles and planes which downplays the role of the livestock industry. At the se lfsame(prenominal) time, the public is not aware of the problem. Livestock, particularly cattle, are responsible for eighteen percent of greenhouse gases general more than all the planes, trains and automobiles on the planet (LA Times, 1). The problem appears to be getting worse.As previously mentioned the cattle herd sizes are increasing. Similarly, as living standards across the globe increase so does a partisanship for total and dairy farm (LA Times, 1). For example, bone marrow consumption in the developing world doubled between 1980 and 2002 and it is expect to double again by 2050. That means the environmental damage of ranching would have to be lilt in half just to keep emissions at their current, dangerous level (LA Times, 1). As more emphasis continues to be placed on the transportation sector, less emphasis is placed on the danger that the cattle emissions pose to the overall integrity of the environment.The global livestock sector is growing faster than any otherw ise agricultural sub sector (Food and husbandry Organization of the United Nations, 1). It provides livelihoods to about 1. 3 billion people and contributes about 40 percent to global agricultural output and is an important source of renewable cypher (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1). While this type of growth is certainly good for farmers and their bottom line, it has negative implications with regards to the overall integrity of the planets environment.As cattle herds continue to grow larger the problem is only going to get worse. Therefore, it is essential that the livestock industry be made aware of their function to greenhouse gas emissions so they are able to research and implement solutions that will help reduce their impact on the planet. Recommendations As mentioned previously, the environmental costs per unit of livestock production must be cut by one half, just to avoid the level of damage worsening beyond its preface level (Food and Agricul ture Organization of the United Nations, 1).Manure is the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically methane and nitrous oxide. The cattle industry generates sixty-five percent of human related nitrous oxide which has two hundred ninety-six times the Global Warming Potential than carbon dioxide (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1). The cattle industry also accounts for thirty-seven percent of all human induced methane which has twenty-three times the Global Warming Potential than carbon dioxide (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1).These high levels of greenhouse gas emissions from the cattle industry prove the importance of changes in order to reduce the impact that cattle has on the environment. The problem also pips much of the emphasis off of carbon dioxide and places it on methane and nitrous oxide since they have much more capability for damage. One suggestion is for human beings to begin cutting back on read meat a s this would reduce the high demand for cattle and lower overall greenhouse gas emissions (LA Times, 1). A similar effect would be reached through a reduction in overall dairy consumption.However, for health reasons this is not a popular or feasible recommendation the way that reducing red meat consumption is. Further, politicians and lobbyists are reluctant to take on the cattle industry because it is extremely hazardous for politicians to take on the U. S. beef industry (LA Times, 1). Therefore, researchers are being forced to develop ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions even as the demand for meat and dairy continues to increase. Cows have four stomachs and the branch stomach is called the rumen and this is where the methane problem lies (LA Times, 1).The bacteria in the rumen produce methane that is released through both ends of the cow (LA Times, 1). Scientists are currently working on a type of feed that are more elan vital efficient and generate less methane as well as experimenting in order to produce a less gassy breed of cattle (LA Times, 1). As mentioned in the beginning of the paper, researchers are also scrambling to develop ways to reduce the contribution of manure to the overall greenhouse gas emission problem such as storage methods and temperature (LA Times, 1).This correlates with the research studies presented in the beginning of the paper because this research supports the notion that finding burst storage methods and controlling the overall temperature of the manure can have a positive effect on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Conclusions The majority of attention has been placed on the role that automobiles and airplanes play in degrading the integrity of the environment. However, few people realize the negative impact that the livestock industry has on the overall quality of the environment.It is much harder to place blame on human activity associated with driving and flying and ignoring the impact that human activity with regards to eating has on the environment. As the demand for quality beef and dairy products continues to increase so will the greenhouse gases emitted by increasing numbers of cattle herds. Humans can help reduce this impact by cutting their red meat consumption and making more sustainable choices with regards to their eating habits.This can go a long way towards improving the situation while scientists work diligently towards creating a solution that will ensure that beef demands be met while also reducing overall impact on the earth. Bartle, John R. The Sustainable Development of U. S. Air Travel. Public full treatment Management and Policy 10. 3 (2006) 214 224. Environmental Protection Agency.Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 2009. 27 April 2009 http//www. epa. gov/climatechange/emissions/index. html. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Livestock a Major Threat to Environment. 29 Nov 2006. 27 April 2009http//www. fao. org/passwordroom/en/news/2006/1000448/in dex. html. Hao, Xiying Chang, Chi Larney, Francis J. Carbon, Nitrogen Balances and Greenhouse Gas Emission During Cattle Feedlot Manure Composting. Journal of Environmental tint 33. 1 (2004) 37 45. Hao, Xiying Chang, Chi Larney, Francis J. Travis, Greg R. Greenhouse Gas Emissions during Cattle Feedlot Manure Composting. Journal of Environmental grapheme 30. 2 (2001) 376 387. LA Times. Killer Cow Emissions. LA Times 15 Oct 2007. 27 April 2009 http//articles. latimes. com/2007/oct/15/ thinking/ed-methane15.