Greenhouse gas research queried

THE methodology used to calculate the various greenhouse gases associated with climate change has been questioned by the Irish Farmers Association.

Sean O’Leary, IFA Climate Change Project team leader, speaking at a Teagasc seminar in Wexford, said global research from India, the Netherlands and the US estimates that methane emissions may be overstated by 30% to 50% and that the margin of error for nitrous oxide emissions is considerably higher.

He said this situation is very serious, particularly at a time when policy makers are developing long-term responses to achieving post-Kyoto targets. “The science behind these flawed calculations must be re-examined,” he said.