Article Summary: During UN climate talks in 2021, its member countries catapulted a “global methane pledge” to eradicate 30% of methane emissions. By reducing methane emissions, the CO2 emissions problem is dealt with as well. The 2022 International Energy Agency report says, there are ways and chances to stop methane dependency, especially in oil and gas. Furthermore, we discussed Chinese wet/dry farming techniques and Norwegian approach of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in this article. Thereupon, India’s adaption of seaweed farming in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) (2020) initiative in which The Department of Fisheries is supporting local fishermen and coastal communities through employ-ability.
Just take a look at your home, and you will discover the stuff that is modern-day requirements. Like cooking gas, an electric car vehicle to drive, ovens to bake and heat food, water heaters, kilns and many more. However, do you know a fact? The manufacturing of these substances has methane as a common and primary element. The alarming rise in carbon dioxide emissions poses an existential threat to our planet. To mitigate CO2, it’s imperative that the general public, government, and manufacturing units collectively tackle greenhouse gas: methane.
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1 tonne Methane = 82.5 tonnes of CO2
Therefore, a manufacturing unit can catch a fire rapidly due to the burning of 1 tonne of methane. 1 tonne of burning methane = 82.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Do you remember when Bangalore’s residential building caught fire due to methane and other fossil fuel emissions? It paints a clear picture that to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in climate, the general public, government and manufacturing units have to come together and resolve to reduce their methane dependency.
UN Global Methane Pledge (2021)
During UN climate talks in 2021, its member countries catapulted a “global methane pledge” to eradicate 30% of methane emissions. By reducing methane emissions, the CO2 emissions problem is dealt with as well. The opportunities to implement pledges are led out.
Opportunities to stop Methane Dependency
The 2022 International Energy Agency report says, there are ways and chances to stop methane dependency, especially in oil and gas.
A Solution substituting Methane
According to the Climate Central Solutions Brief titled Cutting Methane on November 9, 2022, “Biogas can also be processed as renewable natural gas, wherein other gases are removed and the concentration of methane increases to upwards of 90%. Renewable natural gas has broader application than raw biogas.”
Furthermore, it emphasized Biogas’ double benefit by directly preventing methane from escaping into the atmosphere while also reducing the use of other fossil-fuel energy substances.
Wet/dry strategies of rice crop cultivation- An auxiliary Solution
Rice is usually grown by flooding fields. The water creates an ideal environment for methane-producing microbes. Alternating irrigation and drainage cuts methane emissions. Chinese farmers have used this since the 80s. Implementing this practice more widely is one of the most promising strategies for cutting methane emissions from rice cultivation.
Critics against the use of wet/dry strategies
Wet/dry strategies may not be suitable in all settings. Farmers need control over water input and heavy rainfall makes draining more difficult.
Alternate twin anti-Methane Solution
First, a technology that helps develop ways of turning methane into less harmful compounds is called Methane oxidation technology. Discovered in the US, researchers and companies have made ways to capture and change methane emissions. One example is biofilters and similar ways to treat gas from landfills and wastewater treatment facilities. These have been used since the 1990s.
Then, thermal oxidation, catalytic oxidation, Plasma Technology, Microbial Methane Oxidation, and Landfill Gas Recovery. During a modelling study by Naveen Chandra, a principal researcher and his research team in Research Institute for Global Change for the past three years in Japan led to the discovery that“Fossil fuels were not the cause of new methane, but microbes are.”
Second, regenerative ocean farming uses seaweed to absorb methane. Norway is the primary example of ocean farming. It has a framework that governs responsible aquaculture (ocean agriculture), which comprises licensing regulations and sustainability criteria. Farmers pick locations with favorable water conditions for the health and growth of farmed species.
The Norwegian aquaculture’s advanced technologies are a blend of automated feeding systems, underwater cameras, and monitoring systems that track fish’s health, nutrition, behaviour, disease-resistant fish breeding programs, and environmental conditions. Furthermore, this technology alleviates waste and minimizes antibiotic use.
A Bonus anti-Methane Solution
Some Norwegian farms are adopting Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), which involves farming multiple species at once. For example, fish, shellfish, and seaweed can all be farmed together. In addition to fish farming, Norway is focusing on seaweed cultivation. It can help absorb carbon dioxide, improve water quality, and provide food and energy.
Can India adopt Norway-style ocean farming?
India is encouraging seaweed farming in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. In 2020, under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) initiative, The Department of Fisheries is supporting local fishermen and coastal communities. Seaweed is a valuable resource used in many industries. Hence, for India, there is an economic potential, sustainability, and employable opportunity to executive Norway-style Ocean Farming. A nation of 1 4 billion people with a knack for research can dig deep into oceanic secrets and vanish methane into thin air.
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