13S05 AMBER LEE 21/02 These Backpacks For Cow Farts Reduce Climate Change And Generate Power

In this article, the author commented on the research of a group of Argentine Researchers; how they plan to “install” a backpack on cows by inserting tubes into their digestive systems, to collect methane gas produced by them. The author subtly critiqued that this move is not going to solve any climate problem but gives credit to the researchers by suggesting feasibility in rural, off-grid areas where electricity could not reach them through the standard power plants. His main point is that people are not ready to such huge changes as he commented that previous solutions which are much more straight forward and easier to understand did not work due to this reason as well. For instance, people are advice to reduce meat consumption, feed cows with grass, etc. (Simple yet difficult).

In my opinion, I agree with the author to a large extent as we have changed so much in these few decades and reverting change simply shows that we have failed in some aspects. Even when easy actions are available, we want to come up with more sophisticated, resource wastage researches that might not benefit the community. It is sad to think that these cows have to carry tanks on their backs just because they could not sound their rejection towards this idea. (This is simply animal abuse!) Maybe one day, some researchers would install tanks in humans too, so that our carbon footprint can be reduced. If we do not raise our concerns when the cows are treated in such a matter, it will be too late when we are victimised by our species.

However, I disagree with the author when he raised probability of the application of this research in rural, off-grid areas. This is because we should treat animals just as how we want to be treated by our friends. After all, we belong to one animal kingdom. If cows are used in such areas, it just suggests that we are again chasing after efficiency and better lives for our counterparts instead of hoping to reduce climate change (This is just an excuse to make them look better). We have to realise that we cannot have the best of both worlds, even when some people argue that we can save climate and generate power at the same time, I doubt that violating cows’ nature will not cause any consequences. It may generate another cow flu or cause meat prices to rise (economically thinking as competition for cows increases).

Therefore, I just hope that we can admit to our mistakes, look back and start collecting the pieces. Stop wasting time on disgusting measures. Cows only contribute 5 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gases in the world, if this is to pass, I believe installing it on humans will bring a better yield.