How does Methane Affect the Planet?
According to the EPA, methane is a greenhouse gas 25 times more effective at
trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane also breaks down
the ozone layer, and many scientists suspect that a variety of biological
consequences such as increases in skin cancer, cataracts, damage to plants, and
reduction of plankton populations in the ocean's photic zone may result from the
increased UV exposure due to ozone depletion. Another issue caused by excessive
food waste buildup in landfills is the fact that because food waste takes up so much
room inside the landfill, new cells must be created, and the old cells leach toxins
and pollutants into our ground water. All of these issues show how important
organic waste diversion from landfills really is.
trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane also breaks down
the ozone layer, and many scientists suspect that a variety of biological
consequences such as increases in skin cancer, cataracts, damage to plants, and
reduction of plankton populations in the ocean's photic zone may result from the
increased UV exposure due to ozone depletion. Another issue caused by excessive
food waste buildup in landfills is the fact that because food waste takes up so much
room inside the landfill, new cells must be created, and the old cells leach toxins
and pollutants into our ground water. All of these issues show how important
organic waste diversion from landfills really is.
Landfills generate methane when food waste is compacted.
Here is our Evidence:
This is a graph of the types of waste that go into the landfill. This graph is of the 2011
Iowa City Landfill Waste totals. As you can see, food waste, (in the orange category),
makes up the largest amount of waste that enters the landfill.
Iowa City Landfill Waste totals. As you can see, food waste, (in the orange category),
makes up the largest amount of waste that enters the landfill.
Carbon Dioxide and Methane Levels
Methane levels have approximately
doubled since the industrial
revolution. This is very much in line
with the growth of human population.
doubled since the industrial
revolution. This is very much in line
with the growth of human population.
Are Causing...
Methane and carbon dioxide are the
two main greenhouse gasses that are
contributing to Global Warming. As
you can see, there is a massive spike
in surface temperature right when
the industrial revolution begins,
which proves that we are causing
Global Warming, and we need to stop it. Carbon dioxide does not disappear from the
atmosphere by its self, so it is a much more complex issue to deal with. Methane,
however, dissapates after twelve years, and so if we can stabilize emmisions by
diverting food waste from landfills, it can make a sizeable difference.
two main greenhouse gasses that are
contributing to Global Warming. As
you can see, there is a massive spike
in surface temperature right when
the industrial revolution begins,
which proves that we are causing
Global Warming, and we need to stop it. Carbon dioxide does not disappear from the
atmosphere by its self, so it is a much more complex issue to deal with. Methane,
however, dissapates after twelve years, and so if we can stabilize emmisions by
diverting food waste from landfills, it can make a sizeable difference.