Animals Must Mask-Up Too!

SUITABILITY LEVEL: P6

RELATED SCIENCE TOPICS:

1. : Man’s Impact on the Environment

Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane gases are the main cause of global warming. These gases in our atmosphere trap heat from the sun thus leading to the increase in the earth’s atmospheric temperature.

Carbon dioxide is produced when fossil fuels are burnt to produce energy. To reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, alternative sources of energy can be used. These alternative sources of energy known as clean energy can come in the form of the kinetic energy from moving air(wind) or moving water(waves). Solar energy and geo-thermal energy are other examples of clean energy.

Methane gas comes mostly from livestock such as cows. With each burp that a cow makes, methane gas is released. Methane gas is a far more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

However, thanks to the Zero Emissions Livestock Project which is part of the Prince of Wales Sustainable Market Initiative in association with the Royal College of Art in Britain, a special mask has been developed that will capture this methane gas whenever the cow burps. A catalyst present in the mask oxidises the gas and releases it into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and water. This device is estimated to be able to reduce methane emission from cow belches by more than 50 percent.

So! Cows! Listen Up! Do your part in reducing the emission of methane gas. Mask up before you burp!

Article Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/world/mask-for-cows-tyre-plastic-trap-win-climate-design-award