10 Ways Methane Could Brake Global Warming—or Break the Planet

Methane is a paradox. It increases global warming at the same time that it promises abundant alternative energy. The gas is all around the planet, from the atmosphere to deep below seabeds. Here are 10 trends and discoveries that may determine methane's ultimate role in the health of the environment: 1 Curing Cows’ Methane Problem with Kangaroo Bacteria Kangaroos don’t emit any methane. Transfering bacteria from kangaroo guts to cows might help cut down on the ruminants' methane footprint (hoofprint?). 2 Cow-Powered Train This locomotive runs on methane produced by decomposing cow patties and dead cattle. Its efficiency is more than two miles per head of cattle. 3 Earth’s Frozen Methane Stash Global warming seems to be accelerating the release of methane trapped in permafrost and below Arctic ice. The stores total more than some trillion tons of this greenhouse gas. If it all thaws out, we may see the ...