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Worms [when used to compost garbage] are killing the planet, says top researcher
mrw.co.uk ^
| June 21, 2007
| Liz Gyekye
Posted on 06/25/2007 1:51:24 PM PDT by grundle
Worm composting could be doing more harm than good to the environment, a leading researcher claimed today.
Composting Association research director Jim Frederickson said: Worms produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Recent research done by German scientists has found that worms produced a third of nitrous oxide gases when used for composting.
The wiggly ones naturally produce nitrous oxide gases when they are put into the process of composting.
Worms can be used for home grown composting or commercial composting and are typically red worms. They are used to recycle food scraps and other organic material into valuable soil worm compost, otherwise known as vermicompost. This compost can then be used to grow plants.
We have concentrated on getting waste out of landfill and into worm composting systems but they can actually produce more greenhouse gases than landfill sites produce, Frederickson said.
Under the Waste Strategy the Government has strongly supported the composting of waste in efforts to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable waste. This includes encouraging householders to invest in home composting systems.
The Government wishes to increase the amount of waste which is composted to 40% by 2010 and 45% by 2015.
Although Frederickson says that worm composting is a positive thing, he claims that not enough research has been done on worms releasing polluting gases.
Frederickson said: Everybody loves them because they think they can do no harm but they contribute to global warming. People are looking into alternative waste treatments but we have to make sure that we are not jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
We need to investigate all alternative systems for greenhouse potential.
The emissions that come from these worms can actually be 290 times more potent than carbon dioxide and 20 times more potent than methane. In all environmental systems you get good points and bad points.
TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: climatechange; compostisdoomed; doomage; ecology; environment; environmentalists; globalwarming; wearedoomed; worms; wormsaredoomed
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To: grundle
Lawrence Solomon's "The Deniers" (a series of articles on the view of scientists who have been labelled "Global Warming Deniers"):
Other References:
41
posted on
06/25/2007 2:44:25 PM PDT
by
sourcery
(Double Feature: "The Amnestyville Horror" and "Kill the Bill, Vol. 2")
To: grundle
It absolutely horrible here in Vermont. As night falls you can hear the worms breaking wind, up and down the Valley as they go about digest composting the liberal socialist moonbat rhetoric, printed on biodegradable stationary.
The worms themselves refuse to be interviewed, but one can only surmise that they know that global warming is caused by cyclic solar activity.
42
posted on
06/25/2007 2:44:48 PM PDT
by
Candor7
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Baghdad_(1258))
To: grundle
This is a relief!
I compost, and I was worried that people would begin to think I was an econut, or trying to be politically correct. Now that we know worm farts will destroy the planet, I can at least be reassured that I won’t be mistaken for a disciple of Al Gore.
To: grundle
Worms produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Recent research done by German scientists has found that worms produced a third of nitrous oxide gases when used for composting.
So THAT'S why fishermen are always laughting (except when they miss a hookset.)
44
posted on
06/25/2007 2:53:00 PM PDT
by
joebuck
To: grundle
This is hilarious!! The Watermelons are finally discovering that their "global warming" mythology is throwing a huge monkey wrench into many of their other favorite causes. They better not look too closely at ethanol--fermenting sugars to produce ethanol creates huge amounts of CO2.
To: Williams
"
Hey, I just realized we can solve this problem by extinguishing all life on Earth." You're starting to figure the death culture out.
46
posted on
06/25/2007 2:56:57 PM PDT
by
editor-surveyor
(Turning the general election into a second Democrat primary is not a winning strategy.)
To: grundle
worms produced a third of nitrous oxide gases
That's nothing to laugh about, but yet...
47
posted on
06/25/2007 2:59:20 PM PDT
by
HEY4QDEMS
(Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.)
To: Disambiguator
What next? Will the enviros tell us to stop drinking beer? Sitting here as I am at this hour, quaffing down cold Heinekin; I'd say that if they were to try that, it would be.... WAR!!!
48
posted on
06/25/2007 3:00:11 PM PDT
by
AFreeBird
(Will NOT vote for Rudy. <--- notice the period)
To: keepitreal
Lets do the environmentally correct thing: pave over the entire world. No fertile soil, no earthworms. No more nature!! Nature is killing the planet. What are you crazy!?
All that blacktop would turn this planet into an oven. We all know that blacktop absorbs solar radiation, and the Sun.... oh wait, the Sun isn't responsible for warming the planet.
Never mind.
49
posted on
06/25/2007 3:05:26 PM PDT
by
AFreeBird
(Will NOT vote for Rudy. <--- notice the period)
To: grundle
It’s surreal how these idiots go on and on about this non-issue.
50
posted on
06/25/2007 3:08:40 PM PDT
by
pacelvi
To: grundle
GLOBAL WORMING ALERT!!!
(After almost 50 posts somebody had to say it.)
51
posted on
06/25/2007 3:09:16 PM PDT
by
newheart
(The Truth? You can't handle the Truth. But He can handle you.)
To: newheart
GLOBAL WORMING ALERT!!! Yes, someone had to say it. Your patience in waiting 50 posts is commendable. Now, go to your room please..... GLOBAL WORMING ALERT!!! Bad Pun, Bad.
52
posted on
06/25/2007 3:31:29 PM PDT
by
lOKKI
(You can ignore reality until it bites you in the ass.)
To: grundle
53
posted on
06/25/2007 3:33:19 PM PDT
by
kenth
(I got tired of my last tagline...)
To: lOKKI
Yes, bad pun. But nothing like Theophilus Punoval.
54
posted on
06/25/2007 3:34:49 PM PDT
by
newheart
(The Truth? You can't handle the Truth. But He can handle you.)
To: Pajamajan
Worm-Farts-Killing-the-Planet BUMP
55
posted on
06/25/2007 5:24:27 PM PDT
by
Pajamajan
(Pray for president Bush-pray for our military-pray for our congress-pray for our nation)
To: grundle
56
posted on
06/25/2007 6:43:36 PM PDT
by
TFFKAMM
To: Nasty McPhilthy
Maybe Al Snore can sell them some Carbon Credits so the worms don’t feel so guilty and can continue munching.
To: grundle
Maybe they will sign Kyoto, This way they can feel good and continue polluting like the EU and Gore. We can call then the elite slim balls.
To: Blue Highway
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