Once dismissed as an embarrassing, yet harmless, biological phenomenon, human flatulence, is increasingly being discussed as a source of global warming. Nowadays, there is a growing awareness that the methanecontent in such flatulence, is in fact a major contributor to climate change. The question of how much it actually affects the environment is more complex than one may think.
For starters, one must be aware of the fact that humans are not the only creatures that emit methane in their stools andflatulence. In fact, all animals, including cows and other livestock, produce methane when breaking down food. Although there is a lack of precise numbers, it is estimated that the aggregate amount of methane that humans produce through flatulence is minimal compared to what animals, particularly cows,are responsible for. Some estimations even conclude that cows are responsible for approximately 2.5% of the global warming experienced today.
Furthermore, human flatulence, while still being a considerable source of methane gas, is significantly mitigated and negated when coming in contact with oxygen,which causes the gas to instantly combust. While other sources of methane, such as cow’s flatulence, are often emitted into oxygen-rich environments, research suggests that human flatulence does not tend to accumulate in such concentrations, making the effect on global warming much more localised.
Notably, some research indicates that global warming caused by humanflatulence could be reduced through dietary changes. Large amounts of fibers and proteins found in beans, whole grains and legumes are known to have higher concentrations of methane in human flatulence when compared to meats, such as beef and pork. Therefore, by reducing the amount of such products in our diets, very minimal reductions in global warming can be observed.
Nonetheless, the enormity of global warming is too large and far-reaching to be solely attributed to human flatulence. While reducing our methane emissions might help mitigate global warming, it remains but one of many elements contributing to the problem. Other, much larger sources of greenhouse gases, such as the burning of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests, must also be tackled.
In conclusion, while human flatulence is a source of methane, its global impact is minimal when compared to other sources of global warming. This being said, it is essential to act on other sources of climate change, such as industrial pollution and destruction of vegetation, which in return impact its global warming potential.
