December 2, 2005

COWS IN SPACE?
being friday and all, i was perusing the internet when i came across a few news stories that seem to support this idea. First is the story in the New York Times (nytimes.com) about scientists finding pockets of methane haze on Titan, one of Saturn's moons. Then the idea came together when i saw this funny story about where methane (can) come from. this one's for you, ryan: (from msnbc.com)

HEADLINE: Scientists working on cure for gassy cows; Food additive could reduce methane emissions dramatically

STORY: LONDON - Cows belching and breaking wind cause methane pollution, but British scientists say they have developed a diet to make pastures smell like roses — almost. (...)

A 12-month commercial and scientific evaluation of the additive has just begun, but he said if it proves successful it could be a boon to cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.

“In total around 14 percent of global methane comes from the guts of farm animals. It is worth doing something about,” Wallace said. Other big sources of methane are landfills, coal mines, rice paddies and bogs. (...)

In New Zealand the government in 2003 proposed a flatulence tax, with methane emitted by farm animals responsible for more than half the country’s greenhouse gases. The plan was ultimately withdrawn after widespread protests. (IT CONTINUES)

too funny... farting cows are destroying the earth! AHHHHHH! i guess i knew about this, but seeing the story was just too funny. and maybe there ARE cows in space.

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