Stolen or misplaced climate monitoring device.

Scientists around the world are focused on finding alternative feed for cows to reduce the significant amount of methane they produce, a greenhouse gas that now accounts for nearly 30% of all such emissions. This research is crucial, as human-induced methane emissions could be reduced by up to 45% by 2030, according to experts.

The reduction in methane emissions could have far-reaching benefits. It is estimated that it could prevent 260,000 premature deaths, 775,000 asthma-related hospitalizations, 73 billion hours of work loss due to extreme heat, and 25 million tons of crop losses each year.

James Lomax, an advisor on food systems and agriculture at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), suggests that new technologies, shifts in diets, and alternative protein sources could help reduce methane emissions from agriculture and livestock farming.

One such solution is feeding cows with climate-friendly herbs, which lower methane release during digestion. Another is replacing imported soy feed with locally grown crops like industrial hemp as a sustainable fodder alternative. Changing dietary habits to include alternative protein sources can also decrease the demand for methane-intensive livestock farming.

However, emissions from both livestock farming and rice cultivation are expected to increase due to population growth, economic development, and urbanization. To combat this, experts recommend using alternative wetting and drying methods for staple foods like rice to halve emissions without affecting yield and using a third less water.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the amount of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled. This is concerning because, in a 20-year period, methane is about 87 times stronger as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). It takes about 12.4 years for methane to break down naturally, while it takes 120 years for CO2.

This means that reducing methane emissions could have an immediate impact on global warming. In fact, reducing methane emissions could potentially reduce global warming by almost 0.3 degrees Celsius by 2045.

The United Nations predicts that the global population will reach nearly 10 billion by 2050. With this in mind, it is clear that addressing methane emissions from agriculture is a crucial step in mitigating climate change.

Investors can also contribute to this effort. There are various stock funds and ETFs in the category of Environment / Climate / New Energies that focus on companies working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.

It is essential to remember that methane is more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide (CO2). While CO2 emissions decreased during the pandemic, methane levels rose. This underscores the need for immediate action to reduce methane emissions from agriculture and livestock farming.

In conclusion, reducing methane emissions from agriculture is a critical step in addressing climate change. By using new technologies, shifting diets, and alternative protein sources, we can significantly reduce methane emissions and reap numerous health and environmental benefits. Investors can also play a role by supporting companies working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including methane.