• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Preschool Science
  • Science Facts
  • Printable Experiments
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Science Questions
  • Contact Me
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Key Stage 3
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Climate Change for Kids » How do Cows Contribute to Global Warming?

    How do Cows Contribute to Global Warming?

    June 19, 2019 By Emma Vanstone Leave a Comment

    Do you think of cows and global warming in the same sentence? Most people think of carbon dioxide being the most troublesome greenhouse gas, but actually methane is the more damaging of the two as it traps much more heat than carbon dioxide. What is Methane? Methane pollution is thought to cause around a quarter of the global warming the Earth is currently experiencing.

    What is Methane?

    Cows and Global Warming

    When you hear the word methane you probably think of cow farts, but cow burps are also a big contributer to methane levels in the atmosphere. Livestock ( cows, pigs, sheep and other animals ) are responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions!! ( source – United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization)

    How many cows are there?

    There are thought to be over 1.3 billion cows on the planet which amount to a huge amount of methane!

    Cows and Methane - Climate change for kids

    Breeding cows is a very inefficient process as they are often fed maize and soy ( potential human food sources ) and need a lot of water and land.

    If grazing land has been made available to cows by deforestation this is a double blow as when trees are felled they release carbon dioxide gas whereas living trees take in and store carbon dioxide through the process of photosynthesis.

    However, before you assign all the blame to cows, humans are actually responsible for most methane emissions.

    Sources of Methane

    Decaying vegetation

    Livestock and farming

    Leakage from industrial processes ( the oil and gas industry is thought to create ⅓ of emissions ). Read more about this here.

    Plastic bags – studies have shown that plastic releases methane at several stages of its life.

    Micro-organisms feeding on vegetation also release methane. This is exacerbated by melting permafrost leading to the thawing of vegetation which wouldn’t normally be available for microorganisms to feed on.

    How can we reduce methane emissions?

    Reducing plastic usage is a good start and we’re already seeing fantastic steps forward with this. WWF has some great tips for changing how we use plastic.

    Scientists are searching for ways to reduce emissions from cows, including feeding them special diets.

    The world going meat free probably isn’t the answer as this article explains.

    Climate Change for Kids - Cows and Global Warming

    If you want to learn more about greenhouse gases, check out our candy greenhouse gas models too!

    Last Updated on February 15, 2020 by Emma Vanstone

    « What is Climate Change?
    Why is the sky blue? »

    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    What are you looking for?

    JOIN US!

    Get new experiments straight into your inbox every week!!

    Thank you!

    You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

    .

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd