I've found this topic really interesting especially as methane is potentially responsible for trapping more heat than carbon so a really important component of any work to reduce the impact of climate change . It can also result in localised air pollution and ozone formation, so it's bad for public health.
Where does methane come from and how can we get rid of it?
Well not surprisingly fossil fuel companies yet again (oil, gas and coal production) appear as culprits but also the release of methane in agriculture is well known (cows generally getting much of the blame).
What can be done?
If you are interested, this fact sheet is being jointly released by the United States and European Union as co-conveners of the Global Methane Pledge in recognition of the work needed but it also describes areas of achievement.
There is also a big focus on converting by products of agriculture. For example, methanisation in France is a sector of agro-industrial activity that recovers organic waste by producing biogas and digestate.
The biogas can be used where it`s produced to provide heat and possibly electricity in cogeneration. It`s also possible , following purification, for the resulting biomethane obtained to be injected into the natural gas distribution network or used as biogas fuel.
The resources can be urban waste or residues from agricultural or agro-industrial activities. The digestate is spread as agricultural fertiliser.
There is also much work going on to reduce emissions from cows- some rather whacky! The most promising (adding seaweed to feed) is still a way off and not without problems but worth watching this space.
Interesting, seaweed could be the answer then for cow produced methane...