Cows and the Environment
Gianni Perez
Cows are often associated with two things: milk and beef. However, cows contribute much more than this. Through the simple actions of urination and burping, they manage to harm the environment and increase global warming. In response, researchers are currently teaching cows to help the environment rather than harm it.
Global warming is an increase in Earth’s temperature due to the greenhouse effect. Without pollution, solar energy reaches the Earth’s atmosphere and is reflected back into space. The solar energy that lingers in the atmosphere is absorbed and re-radiated by natural greenhouse gases. With pollution, solar energy cannot escape into space and is trapped by anthropogenic greenhouse gases. All of the solar energy is re-radiated by the gases and stays in the atmosphere, making the Earth warmer. The effects of global warming include heat waves, rising sea levels, droughts, wildfires, melting glaciers and intense storms. This affects both animals and humans. Global warming is also caused by various human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and farming.
Although global warming is mainly the result of human activities, cows contribute too. Ruminant animals such as cows, sheep, and goats, have a complex digestive system that allows them to break down plants and other coarse materials. A result of this digestive process is the production of greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide. Cows release greenhouse gases through their burps, flatulence, urine, and feces. Methane and nitrous oxide, like pollutants, trap hot air in the atmosphere and increase Earth’s temperature. According to the Journal of Animal Science, a single cow can produce 250 to 500 liters of methane per day. In 2019, methane was the second most concentrated greenhouse gas emission. Methane warms the atmosphere 80 times more powerfully than carbon dioxide (EDF).
A team of scientists found an odd solution to cow’s pollution problem: potty training cows. The process itself was surprisingly simple. Sixteen calves were individually put in a pen with artificial turf flooring. The cows were kept there for forty-five minutes every day. Whenever a cow urinated, it was rewarded with a treat. Eventually, cows began to visit the “bathrooms” themselves; the training took only ten days. The researchers plan on training more cows and hope that, in the future, this becomes standard practice.
Potty training cows allows farmers to capture and treat cow urine before it reaches the atmosphere. This significantly reduces cow pollution. “If we could collect 10% or 20% of urinations, it would be sufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching significantly,” stated Douglas Elliffe, a scientist who helped develop the program.
Even simple efforts like potty-training cows can lessen the impact of global warming. Although potty-training cows won’t stop climate change, every action helps. Even cows can help save the Earth. If cows can help, so can you! Follow the links below to find out how YOU can fight climate change.
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Image: Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology
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