Satellites detect California cow burps, a major methane source, from space

div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Valerie Volcovicip

pWASHINGTON Reuters – Satellites have detected methane emissions from belching cows at a California feedlot, marking the first time emissions from livestock – a major component of agricultural methane – could be measured from space.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

pEnvironmental data firm GHGSat this month analyzed data from its satellites and pinpointed the methane source from a feedlot in the agricultural Joaquin Valley near Bakersfield, California in February. p

pThis is significant, according to GHGSat, because agricultural methane emissions are hard to measure and accurate measurement is needed to set enforceable reduction targets for the beefproduction industry.p

pGHGSat said the amount of methane it detected from that single feedlot would result in 5,116 tonnes of methane emissions if sustained for a year. If that methane were captured, it could power over 15,000 homes, it said. p

p Agriculture contributes 9.6 to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to Environmental Protection Agency EPA, and about 36 of methane emissions, mostly from livestock.p

pThe Biden administration late last year announced its plan to crack down on methane emissions from the U.S. economy. p

pThe EPA unveiled its first rules aimed at reducing methane from existing oil and gas sources that require companies to detect and repair methane leaks. The Agriculture Department rolled out a voluntary incentive program for farmers.p

pAt last years climate talks, more than 100 countries pledged to cut methane emissions by 30 and to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. Much of this reduction would need to come from the livestock industry, according to the U.N. food agency, which said that livestock accounts for 44 of manmade methane emissions.p

pSeveral methods to reduce livestock methane emissions are being tested, including adding seaweed to cattle diets.p

pGHGSat provides its data to the United Nations International Methane Emissions Observatory program.p

p

pp Reporting by Valerie Volcovici Editing by Bill Berkrotp

divdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivdivdiv