I decided to do my research project on the release of methane gas and how we can use it to help us. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that is caused by both natural and human sources. It stays in the atmosphere for about seven to fifteen years. Methane is more effective in trapping heat then carbon dioxide. Methane gas is a source for global warming needs to be taken care of. The positive thing about methane gas is it is a natural gas so it is an important energy source. If we used methane the right way it can help us with the energy crisis the world is having.
Methane gas is a natural gas, but humans provide most of its emissions. Methane is produced from fossil fuel production, livestock, landfills, and many other ways. Across the world landfills are the one of the largest producers of methane gas in the world. Methane gas is very dangerous and highly flammable. There have been many cases where fires have broken out. Also, large quantity exposures to methane gas are harmful to the body.
Methane gas production can be slowed down by restricting the activities those humans do that cause it. The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement made between countries to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases they omit. They keep track of how many each country omits. Also companies are trying to use this gas in positive ways to help give energies to businesses. It is an easy thing to use the gas emissions from landfills.
Most landfills throughout the world are not utilizing the methane gas. It is not being used and instead of being used as an energy source is hurting us by global warming. In 2009, the United States Environmental Protection Agencies counted 517 active landfill energy projects out of 3,091 active landfills and 10,000 old municipal landfills. This is only in America so imagine throughout the world.
My serious of questions would be: How much money would it cost to make landfills worldwide energy efficient? How much energy will this help provide for the world? How much could this decrease global warming? Who would regulate landfills to make sure they are using the energy? I feel that this is an important environmental issue because if the world does this the right way, we could really help ourselves.
I decided that in addition to looking at landfills, I also want to look at how to solve other methane gas emissions. At first I thought it would be good to just look at one thing and focus on it, but I decided not to. It will help me become more aware of the topic if I looked at multiple sources. I will continue using those questions, but also look at them with livestock and fossil fuel production.
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/2009-10-29-methane-global-warming_N.htm
http://globalwarming.ygoy.com/2009/06/23/methane-%E2%80%93global-warming-effects/
http://epa.gov/methane/sources.html
http://www.methanegasdetectors.com/
http://science.howstuffworks.com/landfill6.htm
http://www.recyclingsuperguide.com/learn-about-landfills-and-methane-gas-2
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/01/05/trash_to_gas_landfill_energy_projects_increasing
http://www.zerowasteamerica.org/Landfills.htm
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