Why a ‘fart tax’ might be just a load of hot air

In recent months rumors have been circulating that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a ‘fart tax’ for livestock as part of their new plan to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A similar proposal has outraged farmers in both New Zealand and Australia.

Why do we care about such obscure taxes becoming a reality? Is it possible that these 'fart taxes' are just a load of hot air? (See this blog for more)

Many years ago, I was up late watching the news and saw a story about a herd of sheep fitted with contraptions consisting of plastic trousers on their behinds and tubes in their mouths, among other things. It was a hilarious sight and I couldn’t help but wonder why these sheep were hooked up to these pieces of equipment. Not being a complete novice to the science surrounding climate change, the explanation was in fact quite plausible. They were using these devices to measure their methane emissions.

According to this article from the BBC, farting and burping by these farm animals are responsible for:

• 90% of the methane emissions in New Zealand,
• 70% of the methane emissions in Australia, and
• 15% of methane emissions worldwide.

So, you might be wondering why the sudden shift to talking about methane?

• Methane has 21 times the heat-trapping potential of carbon dioxide (EPA).

Why is this important?

In agrarian countries like New Zealand, it is estimated that over half the country’s greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the methane emitted by farm animals. This means that something like a ‘fart tax’ on farm animals could, in theory, help NZ meet their Kyoto Protocol targets. But, this is just in theory…

In reality, a ‘fart tax’ would do very little to curb emissions. The actual result of such a tax would be a huge loss in revenue for farmers while the overall emissions in the atmosphere would not be reduced unless farmers cut back on the numbers of sheep, cows, and hogs. Ultimately, we would just see dairy and meat prices rise to meet growing costs. In the current economic climate, adding financial pressure to farmers, especially in NZ whose economy depends on agriculture, does not seem to be the answer to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Luckily, the proposal was shot down in Australia, NZ, and the United States --- but not before widespread hysteria erupted among farmers.

Why do we regulate emissions using taxes and permits? To reduce emissions.

That being said, a ‘fart tax’ is not going to get the job done. The gas produced by these animals is a result of natural processes and is not going to be reduced by taxing farmers.

What is the solution then?

Methane gas emissions still need to be regulated and some scientists in Australia are now turning away from the old “plastic trousers” mechanism and are hooking sheep up to gas masks to measure their methane emissions from belching. It is supposedly much more effective and less cumbersome than previous methods --- though I can’t say that it would look any less ridiculous!

Other efforts to reduce methane emissions from farm animals include research on less “gassy” feed– a way to reduce emissions without reducing animal numbers. Or, maybe it is our own diets that need to change; kangaroo anyone?

The Future of Oz: Wildfires, heat waves, and climate change

During the 18 years I spent growing up in Perth, Western Australia, I never experienced Christmas with a “real” Christmas tree. We used a plastic tree (as did many other families) for fear that our house would catch on fire in the intense summer heat.

That fear has become a reality for many in recent months after Australia’s latest wildfires – the worst in the nation’s history - killed over 180 people. Almost 500,000 acres and over 700 homes were destroyed by the fires that spread throughout Victoria, a state in south-eastern Australia.

Just a week ago I was reading about the worst heat wave on record in this very same state. Temperatures soared up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit – the hottest on record. Unprecedented droughts in the region combined with extreme heat created the perfect fuel for this blistering inferno. Experts are saying that this is only the beginning of the effects of climate change that Australia will face in coming years.

Fires have been a part of the Australian landscape for millions of years. The natural ecosystems have evolved; the plants have adapted. But, add people to this vast and relatively empty continent and fire becomes a terrifying prospect.

All it takes is a single spark from a cigarette or a lightning strike, and the grasses will light up, the dried bush will catch on fire, and then the wind comes…. Before too long, you have a glowing river of flames expanding across the landscape. You would have to search very hard to find an Australian who is not afraid of wildfires. We all know someone who has been affected.

These recent fires are the worst in Australia’s history since the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 and the Black Friday fires of 1939 that devastated south-east Australia. This region is considered to be one of the most fire-prone areas in the world, along with southern California. Both regions are predicted to be at greater risk of wildfires as a result of climate change.

According to a World Bank Report (see here), Australia increased its carbon dioxide emissions by 38% between 1994 and 2004 making it the sixth highest per capita emitter in the world -- mostly as a result of their dependence on coal-fired power. So, what is Australia's response to climate change? Their current target is only a pitiful 5% reduction by 2020. This is not enough if we want to avoid a repeat of these fires (see this link for recommended actions).

Luckily this most recent fire did not reach the state’s most populated areas, but what about next time? My own hope is that we can find better solutions to wildfire management in Australia before we need to resort to living in fire proof homes below the scorched surface.

If you want to encourage Australian politicians to take action on climate change, check out TheBigSwitch.org.au. This organization is working to encourage Australians to talk to their local politicians to take action.