We know about politicians seeking power – but they could be the source of generating power, too

A press release from the Beehive triggered our recollection of a bit of science about the energy-generating properties of methane.  According to an article in the Journal of Environmental Management a few years ago, livestock manure contributes an estimated 240 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent of methane to the atmosphere and represents one of the biggest anthropogenic sources of methane.

Considering that methane is the second biggest contributor to global warming after carbon dioxide, the article said,

“ … it is imperative that ways and means are developed to capture as much of the anthropogenic methane as possible. There is a major associated advantage of methane capture: its use as a source of energy which is comparable in ‘cleanness’ to natural gas.”

We bring this to readers’ attention in light of

• The initiative by Parliamentry Services to cut Parliament’s carbon footprint by installing solar and improving energy efficiency, and
• The power-generating potential of – is there a more delicate way of expressing this? – political bullshit. 

We know politicians enjoy exercising power – but do we not have the technology to use their BS for generating power?

If not, then let some of the millions being pumped into all sorts of other projects be diverted to exploiting the potential of this obvious and renewable anthropogenic energy source.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Services will receive support through the Clean-Powered Public Service Fund to install solar PV and LED lighting, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the historic parliamentary estate.

The news was delivered by Climate Change Minister James Shaw:

“When the Zero Carbon Bill passed with unanimous support last year, most people would have expected that Parliament go another step and work to cut its own emissions.

“On top of the huge progress this Government has made to tackle the climate crisis, Parliament is leading by example and upgrading to use more clean energy.”

Installing solar PV and LED lighting will reduce Parliament’s carbon emissions by around 1,690 tonnes over the next ten years.

In addition to the $1.3 million of support through the clean-powered public service fund, Parliamentary Services will contribute $0.960 million from its own budget.

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