Methane Gas Emissions

Methane CH4 is a greenhouse gas that the International Panel on Climate Change estimates is between 21-23 times the potency of carbon dioxide. Methane is produced by the digestion process of cattle, from wetlands, termites, rice growing, fossil fuel use, landfill methane gas and industrial processes.According to the CSIRO the gas concentrations in the atmosphere have approximately doubled since the industrial revolution, rising from 700ppb to ~1795 in 2010. Over the last decade however methane levels in the atmosphere have been relatively stable. Between 2007-2009 there was a small spike in methane levels, but following that the growth rate returned to approximately zero.Sources of methane gas emissions- Methane is emitted from both natural sources and human activities
- Natural emissions are dominated by anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in wetlands
- Human activities account for more than 60% of global emissions as per below:Source – % total Anthropogenic emissions
Fossil fuels – 25%
Livestock – 25%
Rice cropping – 20%
Landfill methane – 20%
Biomass burning – 10%Causes of increase in methane gasA report by CSIRO and other organisations that was published in 2010 in ECOS found that the rise in methane emission levels in the atmosphere was caused by the release of this gas previously stored in wetlands in the arctic. The warmer summers of 2006 and 2007 as well as the wetter conditions in the tropics contributed to the release of this gas from the arctic wetlands. The report suggests that with climate change and unpredicted weather conditions that there is a risk of continued spike in atmospheric methane being released from arctic wetlands.Cows methane gasThe most commonly discussed contributor to atmospheric methane emissions is the one from cows. However as noted above cows the gas contributes 25% of anthropogenic emissions globally, the same as fossil fuels and just slightly more than rice growing and landfill.Reducing emissions from cattleThe Australian cattle industry is focused on looking at how to reduce this gas emissions from ruminant (cattle and sheep) digestion. Meat and Livestock Australia in partnership with the federal government has a $28 million project underway with 18 different research projects under the banner of Reducing Emissions from Livestock Research Program (RELRP). Under this program research bodies from across the country are looking at how to more effectively measure methane, such as with methane detector. Researchers are also investigating whether there are particular animals that naturally produce less methane gas and if so, if this can be selectively bred for.Another area of focus under the RELRP is whether different feeds can have an impact on reducing the gas release of cows. One of the projects funded under RELRP is being undertaken by Dr Ed Charmley from the CSIRO. Dr Charmley has recently reported some positive findings with feeding cattle a Mexican fodder tree, with methane gas detector showing that it leads to cows methane gas being 20% lower than cows that don’t eat the Mexican fodder tree.

Love Cycling

The inspiring story of Lance Armstrong’s determined struggle against cancer and his triumphant return to professional cycling has touched hundreds of thousands of people across the world. His seven straight wins in the world’s greatest cycling race, the Tour de France, has surely helped cycling’s profile.But what is it about the sport of cycling that is so attractive?In part, the partnership of man and machine has a distinct attraction. The modern-day bicycle, with cranks and pedals, was invented in the 1860s with the first bicycle race thought to have been conducted at the Parc de Saint-Cloud in Paris in 1868.Man’s desire to cross a variety of terrain and desire to ride faster has driven the evolution of bicycles. The predecessors of the sleek, light-weight carbon bikes used in modern professional racing are steel-framed, welded and by comparison unwieldy machines.For professional cyclists the difference between winning and losing a race may be a matter of a split second and the cutting edge technology of cycoe development demonstrates this.Of course, not everyone who takes up cycling wants to compete at the elite level. Cycling is a sport attractive to people in of walks of life and which is certainly not confined to road racing.Mountain bike riding is exceptionally popular, as is cyclo-cross riding. Bikes with sturdy tyres, flat handle bars and gearing appropriate to hilly terrain are used for these forms of cycling. By contrast, road cyclists use bikes with a more aggressive geometry that permit attainment of greater speed.In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, many people choose to commute by bicycle. A hybrid bike, which marries features of a road and mountain bike, is ideal for this purpose.Cycling is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise, meaning that you can improve your aerobic fitness and endurance by undertaking the activity. Regular cycling can also help you to lose weight. The sport of cycling is essentially non weight-bearing, meaning that your joints are spared the repetitive impact of sports such as running. If you have sustained a musculoskeletal injury cycling is an excellent way of attaining a workout without causing further damage.Riding a bicycle does require a certain degree of balance and skill, much of which though many of us acquire as children.Aside from the health benefits of cycling, many people find that it is a great social activity. Clubs and groups are regularly found in many areas promoting the sport for enjoyment and fitness and regularly stopping off for a coffee and chat afterwards.So if you have a desire to be the master of your own machineand to get fit and with the aid of the increase in promotion of cycling as a great contribution to the environment, cycling could be the sport for you.

The Good Life With Homework

BUYING rural land to build a country lifestyle for yourself requires more specialised knowledge compared to purchasing a residential property.If you buy an established rural property with an existing house and other structural improvements then a thorough expert inspection of each is recommended – just as you would if buying a residential property in a metropolitan area.One of the challenges confronting people looking to purchase a rural property is to find out if the sale price is a reasonable figure.You can research the value of a rural property in a few different ways.One is to choose the area you wish to buy land and then monitor the asking prices of similar district properties and compare the types of improvements built on each.As the turnover of rural property is not as frequent as metropolitan or suburban house sales you will need to be patient to track this information.If you find the sale price of a bare block of land in a rural area you want to live then you are in luck as this figure will allow you to calculate a base figure per acre or hectare to use to compare the values of other properties with, or without, buildings.Another step to consider is to look for a commercial database of sold prices of rural properties in the area you are interested in.In Australia there are private companies that collect rural and regional property sales results and record the results in databases. These are commercial operations so trawl the Net and see what rural property sales research websites you can find.Government departments in Australia record property sales results so this is another avenue to explore to research rural property sales results.There are also a number of other practical matters to be aware of when purchasing rural land to build on as previous uses could have affected the land significantly.Land that has been used to graze sheep can present the unsuspecting buyer with weeds they never new existed.In winter inspecting a property grazed by sheep may present as land with short grass and sheep. In spring the same ground could turn into land with metre high weeds and grass hiding the same sheep.Livestock will try to eat virtually anything to stay warm and so weeds and plant seeds can get excreted right across a property.It could take years to control a weed-infested property especially if you are against using herbicides or if the ground gets saturated.If you intend grazing livestock then think about getting a block of land that has high and low country.One advantage of having higher and lower paddocks is if floods occur then you have got somewhere to put stock. A high point on your land offers more wide ranging the views too.In summer lower country with some strategically located mature shade trees can offer stock some comfortable places to camp.In Australia giant red gums growing on rural land indicates an abundant source of water is occasionally available on that land.Red gums need plenty of water to survive whether it is flood water or subterranean. So if you see mature red gums thriving on a block of land you know this is a property where plenty of water is going to occur above or below ground sooner or later.Tree plantations in strategic spots across a rural property are beneficial for the land and stock. Mature trees located to deflect prevailing harsh wind and weather will improve growing conditions on a rural property.When you purchase a property in the country do what the early Australian pioneers did – camp on it for all four seasons before you choose where to build any structures.After you have owned your land for a while you will get to know the prevailing wind directions, different soil types, identify boggy ground and springs and learn if any other natural phenomenon occurs on your new property.You can then get a reasonable idea on where to build sheds, form laneways, situate rainwater tanks, dig dams and locate essential services such as underground power cables.Do you want to buy a property near a forest? Forests are lovely to walk through and admire but when there is a drought they are fuel for bushfires. Forests are also havens for vermin. Foxes, feral cats and dogs kill livestock.Australian forests can become havens for native fauna and in some areas mobs of kangaroos will compete with livestock for food. Wombats can dig huge burrows on a property and undermine roads.If you want to live next to or in a forest be aware you will have to protect any trees, vegetables or flowers you plant with suitable fences. In Australia many kangaroos can jump 2 metres vertical from a standing start!So ask people who are already living in an area you are researching so you can get an idea of what to expect and what to avoid it if you choose.A parting thought for some of the more senior members of our society who may like the thought of going country.People inevitably get physically affected as they age.This should not discourage people who are mature from owning and living in a rural environment.Instead you should ensure you are within a reasonable driving time to a larger regional centre that can provide various services including health care.