Dear Editor,
Carbon dioxide has got all the attention for its contribution to global warming, however, methane gas traps about 87 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide on a 20-year time scale, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Copenhagen, Denmark’s latest move to tackle climate change has been shared in a report by The Associated Press. Denmark will be the first country to start taxing livestock farmers for greenhouse gases emitted by their cows, sheep and pigs commencing in 2030.
This is to target the major source of methane emissions, one of the most potent gases contributing to global warming. They have established several stages in this taxation program going forward.
The aim by taxing is to reduce the Danish contribution of greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent from the 1990 levels and increase the program by 2035.
Livestock accounts for about 32 per cent of methane emissions, says the U.N. It has been noted that humans also expel methane. In view of this, maybe our carbon tax is only the beginning and if you think you are simply passing air, there may be another government tax coming your way.
With the concentration in Ottawa in the House of Commons and the Senate, could this be considered another one of the Canadian hot spots for the generating of methane in Canada?
Ronald Richardson
High River
