generally grown in waterlogged condition, which creates an anoxic environment
and is conducive to methane production by the strictly anaerobic methanogenic
bacteria. Methanogens use organic compounds as electron donors for energy and
synthesis of cellular constituents and, in turn, reduce C to CH 4 .
3 Greenhouse Gases in Ruminant Context
Livestock, mainly cows and buffaloes are identified as one of the primary contributors of greenhouse gases in India. These animals play a major role in the
emission of methane—a gas with a much more lethal impact on global warming
than the usual suspect carbon dioxide. Livestock is known to release a huge amount
of methane through belching and flatulence, out of which flatulence accounts for a
smaller quantity.
A worrying trend outlined in the study is that India’s methane emission from
livestock is the highest in the world.
India’s greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture fell to about 18 % of the total
between 1994 and 2007. But, livestock sector in 2007 produced methane with a
warming potential equivalent to that of 334 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
4 Greenhouse Effect (GHE)
Atmospheric scientists first used the term ‘greenhouse effect’ in the early 1800s. At
that time, it was used to describe the naturally occurring functions of trace gases in
the atmosphere and did not have any negative connotations. It was not until the
mid-1950s that the term greenhouse effect was coupled with concern over climate
change. In recent decades, we often hear about the greenhouse effect in somewhat
negative terms. The negative concerns are related to the possible impacts of an
enhanced greenhouse effect. It is important to remember that without the greenhouse effect, life on earth as we know it would not be possible. GHG allows solar
radiation to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere but they absorb some amount of
solar radiation which is not radiated back and in turn causes the warming of the
Earth surface. In fact, these GHGs are important for our environment to keep our
climate warmer, but excess production of these gases is causing more rises in the
temperature than normal. This phenomenon is called as GHE. In this effect, the
short wavelength (visible light) from the sun passes through the atmosphere and is
absorbed, but the longer wavelength (infrared) reradiation from the heated objects
are unable to pass through that medium. The trapping of the long wavelength
Impact of Ruminants on Global Warming: Indian and Global Context
87
and is conducive to methane production by the strictly anaerobic methanogenic
bacteria. Methanogens use organic compounds as electron donors for energy and
synthesis of cellular constituents and, in turn, reduce C to CH 4 .
3 Greenhouse Gases in Ruminant Context
Livestock, mainly cows and buffaloes are identified as one of the primary contributors of greenhouse gases in India. These animals play a major role in the
emission of methane—a gas with a much more lethal impact on global warming
than the usual suspect carbon dioxide. Livestock is known to release a huge amount
of methane through belching and flatulence, out of which flatulence accounts for a
smaller quantity.
A worrying trend outlined in the study is that India’s methane emission from
livestock is the highest in the world.
India’s greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture fell to about 18 % of the total
between 1994 and 2007. But, livestock sector in 2007 produced methane with a
warming potential equivalent to that of 334 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.
4 Greenhouse Effect (GHE)
Atmospheric scientists first used the term ‘greenhouse effect’ in the early 1800s. At
that time, it was used to describe the naturally occurring functions of trace gases in
the atmosphere and did not have any negative connotations. It was not until the
mid-1950s that the term greenhouse effect was coupled with concern over climate
change. In recent decades, we often hear about the greenhouse effect in somewhat
negative terms. The negative concerns are related to the possible impacts of an
enhanced greenhouse effect. It is important to remember that without the greenhouse effect, life on earth as we know it would not be possible. GHG allows solar
radiation to pass through the Earth’s atmosphere but they absorb some amount of
solar radiation which is not radiated back and in turn causes the warming of the
Earth surface. In fact, these GHGs are important for our environment to keep our
climate warmer, but excess production of these gases is causing more rises in the
temperature than normal. This phenomenon is called as GHE. In this effect, the
short wavelength (visible light) from the sun passes through the atmosphere and is
absorbed, but the longer wavelength (infrared) reradiation from the heated objects
are unable to pass through that medium. The trapping of the long wavelength
Impact of Ruminants on Global Warming: Indian and Global Context
87