British company develops mask for cows to control methane emissions and combat climate change

Thanks to research and evidence, it is clear that humans are the main culprit in driving climate change. As we depend more and more on technology and industries, we have polluted the world. But the animals are not that innocent after all, especially the cattle. As they burp and fart, they release methane that is 84 times more toxic than carbon dioxide, causing greenhouse gases, similar to the fossil fuel industry.

So the innocent-looking animals are just as responsible for destroying the planet as we are. While the war on climate change is underway and scientists are doing everything they can to protect our only habitat, technology will once again drive the factors that led to it. One of these technologies is for livestock, especially the dairy industry. To protect the planet from methane-emitting animals, a British start-up has come up with a solution: a mask. The start-up, called Zelp (Zero Emission Livestock Project), says the mask is designed to reduce up to 60 percent of methane emissions from livestock.

“We were aware that methane is one of the biggest contributors to global warming in any country and we found that there is not enough research into tools for reducing methane in agriculture. There is not much innovation. place in the field, ”said co-founder Francisco Norris told Wired. Francisco runs a livestock farm in Argentina with his brother Patricio.

Livestock problem

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the livestock industry is responsible for a whopping 7.1 gigatonnes of greenhouse gases or 14.5 percent of all CO2 emissions worldwide. The livestock industry alone contributes 5.24 gigatonnes of emissions annually. Considering that a lot of thought has gone into controlling the methane farmers through the design of feed additives. It alters the digestive process and helps reduce methane gas in the stomachs of cattle.

However, chemical additives can become a problem for animal life and also for the products. There have been many incidents of SDS-related deaths from additives. Therefore, instead of changing the animal’s microbiology, it is better to provide a solution that does not interfere with the digestive process.

“About 95 percent of livestock’s methane emissions come from their nostrils and mouth. The technology detects, traps and oxidizes methane when it is exhaled by the animals,” said Norris.

How does it work?

Unlike a human face mask, the cow mask does not cover the mouth. The mask with a zipper mechanism sits just over the nostrils and helps capture methane from breathing and burping. The mask contains a sensor to detect what percentage of methane the cow is exhaling.

As the methane level increases, the mask begins the oxidation process. It uses a catalyst to convert methane (CH4) into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) and eject it from the mask, the Wired reported. “It reduces methane’s global warming potential to less than 1.5 percent of its original value,” said Norris.

In addition to the methane processing function, the mask also works as a smart device for cows. It tracks the location of the livestock via a GPS chip, in addition to measuring feeding activity and sexual receptivity in female livestock. The Norris brothers believe it will help farmers identify early symptoms of a disease while reducing farm costs.

The device has successfully passed tests conducted in institutions in Argentina, in addition to the Royal Veterinary College in the UK. The studies showed that the device did not affect the animal’s behavior or nutrition. As global meat consumption will increase by 70 percent over the next 30 years, according to the FAO, demand in the livestock and dairy industries will also increase. That’s why the Norris brothers believe their cow mask will be a step in the right direction in the fight against climate change.