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Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

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Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#21

Post by chillydawg »

jdavis703 wrote: post #17
TulliusCicero wrote: post #7

There probably isn't an incentive to reduce methane emissions for farmers right now though, right? We'd have to pass regulations mandating a reduction, or an emissions tax or something.

No, and that's not going to happen soon. But companies can start marketing their products as carbon neutral and selling them at a premium at retailers like Whole Foods.

The biggest producers are and will always be the mass market stuff, though. Who cares if 1% of beef is produced carbon neutral? It's nice, but it makes no tangible difference. Sadly this method of encouraging better behaviour won't work unless a costco or a mcdonalds, for some insane reason, wants to cut their profit margin and buy more expensive beef.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#22

Post by gotofritz »

somberi wrote: post #19

Not just for Bovines, for humans too, Seaweed can come to rescue: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/02/a-new-leaf

> All Smith needs to do is to invent a new cuisine based on filter feeders and seaweed

That's the problem - I'd love to eat more, but a lot of it it's just not appetising. Eating the salads you get in Korean / Japanese restaurants is like eating soft leather.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#23

Post by gotofritz »

dajohnson89 wrote: post #20

Can eating seaweed make human farts smell less offensive?

They'll smell of the sea. Which to the people around could suggest, subliminally, it's time for a beach holiday. A chance for some guerrilla marketing right there...!

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#24

Post by jdavis703 »

chillydawg wrote: post #21
jdavis703 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, and that's not going to happen soon. But companies can start marketing their products as carbon neutral and selling them at a premium at retailers like Whole Foods.

The biggest producers are and will always be the mass market stuff, though. Who cares if 1% of beef is produced carbon neutral? It's nice, but it makes no tangible difference. Sadly this method of encouraging better behaviour won't work unless a costco or a mcdonalds, for some insane reason, wants to cut their profit margin and buy more expensive beef.

I agree with you. I'd rather see faster, broader action. But it's not happening soon. But instead of waiting around ask your butcher if they can purchase a "zero carbon" cow (or better yet go vegan/vegetarian :)), don't buy mass market stuff with huge carbon footprints (this Christmas I'm mostly giving food or other things). I used to think the "your wallet can change corporate behavior" line of reasoning at the end of Big Corp exposé-style documentaries (e.g. Fast Food Nation) was a little naïve. But look at how many smaller ethical businesses are out there. Yeah people might make fun of the "small batch artisanal" shops out there, but we're making progress because it is popular enough to be a common punch line.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#25

Post by mrob »

somberi wrote: post #19

Not just for Bovines, for humans too, Seaweed can come to rescue: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/02/a-new-leaf

> Seaweed can be rich in protein, Vitamin B12, and trace minerals.

The USDA nutrient database lists 8 types of seaweed. Only one of these these ("Canadian Cultivated EMI-TSUNOMATA") contains B12, and it appears to be a proprietary land-cultivated strain of Irish moss, so hardly representative of normal seaweed. The generic Irish moss is also listed with zero B12.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#28

Post by heisenbit »

If seaweed eliminates methane it likely will affect some gut bacteria more than others. We would not blindly swallow antibiotics affecting what is happening in our gut. There will be side effects one way or another - usually the more effect the more side effect.

Seaweed is worth studying and has promise but I'm skeptical when it comes super food claims.

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#29

Post by kristopolous »

chillydawg wrote: post #21
jdavis703 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, and that's not going to happen soon. But companies can start marketing their products as carbon neutral and selling them at a premium at retailers like Whole Foods.

The biggest producers are and will always be the mass market stuff, though. Who cares if 1% of beef is produced carbon neutral? It's nice, but it makes no tangible difference. Sadly this method of encouraging better behaviour won't work unless a costco or a mcdonalds, for some insane reason, wants to cut their profit margin and buy more expensive beef.

The worst move the environmental movement did is let the environmentally sensitive product be associated with consumption by a rich liberal urban elite.

Until someone can fix this and disassociate ecological efficiency from the limousine liberal, these programs are unfortunately going to only be marginal. Minimizing environmental externalities can't be seen as optional.

Lots of reasonable things increase cost - such as refrigerated storage and inspection. We don't tier the product market like this though, "oh you want your meat to be free of disease? Well then mr fancy pants... Here's the luxury product."

Re: Scientist discovers particular seaweed nearly eliminates cow methane emissions

#30

Post by iampherocity »

chillydawg wrote: post #21
jdavis703 wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, and that's not going to happen soon. But companies can start marketing their products as carbon neutral and selling them at a premium at retailers like Whole Foods.

The biggest producers are and will always be the mass market stuff, though. Who cares if 1% of beef is produced carbon neutral? It's nice, but it makes no tangible difference. Sadly this method of encouraging better behaviour won't work unless a costco or a mcdonalds, for some insane reason, wants to cut their profit margin and buy more expensive beef.

On 1.5 billion cows with an average release of 70-120kg per year (I went with 90kg) you'll get a reduction by 1,350,000,000kg of methane. Thats a difference. A single percent drop from one of the main contributors of green house gasses is huge.
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