Part 5: Practical solutions
If increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are a concern, and
methane (CH4) as well, then the good news is that practical solutions are being
generated by scientists and industry that do not require major economic and
cultural disruptions.
CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
Capturing this gas is fairly easy and can be profitable.
1. Major US oil and natural gas fracking companies in Texas are now
capturing released CO2 and pumping it back into the ground as a cheap
substitute for other pressurizing materials (as reported in an earlier
blog).
2. As documented by TVO’s Climate Watch series[i], a Canadian cement producer is now working with a
biotech company to recycle exhaust CO2 using algae to create various products:
including plastics.
For every ton of cement created, one ton of CO2 is emitted into
the air.
3. Capturing free floating CO2 from the air is also
possible. A Canadian firm, Carbon Engineering Ltd., is now doing the
final testing of its system before mass marketing it.
Its small prototype wall of collecting fans can capture one (1)
tone of carbon each year, and thereafter the company turns it into fuel[ii].
CH4 -
Methane
Scientists and companies
in the livestock feed industry are exploring various food additives that would
reduce CH4 emissions from cows and other ruminants.
As reported by The
Independent last May, 2018, (in print and accompanying video}[iii], University of California researchers have found
adding seaweed algae to cow feed reduced methane cow emissions (from burping
and farting) by up to 99%!
As well, the following solutions, are noted by Wikipedia,
“Atmospheric Methane”[iv].
1. Re ruminant
emissions, a drug called monensin (marketed as rumensin™) has been developed and is an antibiotic that is
naturally produced by a harmless bacteria strain.
2. Better manure management techniques to
minimize methane release have also been developed.
3. Various
techniques to control Landfill emissions
have also been expanded in line with the EPA’s 1986 addition of the “Landfill
Rule’ to the Clean Air Act.
4. As for natural gas industries, the EPA
developed the Natural Gas STAR Program, also known as Gas STAR”[vii].
And since 2013 a mobile, vehicle
mounted methane leak detector has been available and used by Pacific Gas and
Electric.
5. Coal mining is
also finding ways to capture and utilize methane gas in line with the EPA’s Coalbed
Methane Outreach Program (CMOP).
So, for those concerned and
even fixated with reducing the amount of CO2 and CH4 in the atmosphere, all
this is good news.
Solutions that cause
minimal disruption to the economy, society and cultures of the world should be
the chosen path.
[ii] “B.C. carbon-capture firm looks to take its technology to
market”, Globe and Mail, March 22, 2019, B2.
[iii] https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/cows-seaweed-methane-burps-cut-greenhouse-gas-emissions-climate-change-research-a8368911.html
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