The three states — Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas — are the biggest offenders of methane, a potent heat-trapping gas, according to the latest scientific research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
Methane, also referred to as natural gas for obvious reasons, comes principally from livestock, including its manure, belches and flatulence.
But there are other reasons for the increased methane, such as leaks from refining and drilling for oil and gas.
Yes, Oklahoma has a few wells, but the cows are the big problem.
Still, the research results provide some
unanswered questions. How exactly are cow farts measured, and what poor
person stands there counting them? C’mon, we’re just kidding.
Supposedly,
the latest research was based on nearly 13,000 measurements from
airplane flights and tall towers. We’re not positive, but surely there
aren’t too many tall towers in rural Oklahoma, where most of the beefy
beasts strut around, eating grass all day.
The research indicates cows are spewing twice the methane scientists originally thought.
