Cow Shit!

A BBC Countryfile programme (13/2/2022) carried a section suggesting that dairy cow faeces could be added to anaerobic digester devices, to generate methane. The generated methane could then be burned to generate energy (https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/cow-waste-could-turned-energy-6135494). It was argued that this would be especially important in rural areas, without gas supplies. The main response to the sequence was actually from irate viewers, who had been 'put off their tea', by viewing poo. One wonders if their meals included any dairy products? (https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/1565439/Countryfile-cow-poo). What is actually much more important, however, is to note that methane is an especially potent 'greenhouse gas'. Burning it, simply generates carbon dioxide. Using the cow poo for energy production, might well be better than just leaving it or flushing it away. For many reasons (both environmental and ethical), however, it would be much better to have fewer dairy cattle. Energy shortages in rural areas are best 'cured' by wind and solar power.