Methane research key to climate change

Published: 8:55AM Thursday January 12, 2006

Source: RNZ

Tools: Email Print Text Size

A New Zealand scientist says new research into methane emissions could have a profound effect on the global battle against greenhouse gases and climate change.

The research, conducted by a group of Dutch scientists, is published in Nature magazine. It claims plants produce vast amounts of methane, a gas which contributes to global warming.

The Dutch scientist behind startling new research linking plants to greenhouse gases, says many people were sceptical of his findings.

Dr Thomas Roeckmann, from the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research, says his findings contradict research which says methane can not be created in the presence of oxygen.

He admits other scientists initially doubted his results, which claim plants emit methane, a gas that contributes to global warming. Roeckmann says other research, which showed higher methane levels over tropical rainforests, has backed up his findings.

Dr David Lowe from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, says the findings are a major surprise and says that it could have a major impact on the Kyoto Protocol, of which New Zealand is a signatory, which offers concessions to countries with large, forested areas.

Lowe, who peer reviewed the study, says scientists need to now work out how much methane is produced by vegetation, compared with a plant's absorption rate of carbon dioxide. Lowe says the research could have a profound effect on the global battle against greenhouse gases and climate change.

The Ministry for the Environment says the findings will not have any effect on the current Kyoto Protocol commitment period, which has already been signed off.

Tools: Email Print Text Size