The Role of Animal Farts in Global Warming (Infographic)

Chart compares methane emissions sources.

Methane gas fermented in the guts of farm animals contribute up to 26 percent of U.S. methane emissions. (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

Ruminants are herbivores that regurgitate their food to re-chew it. Microorganisms in the animal’s gut break down carbohydrates into simpler molecules.

Ruminants including cattle and deer produce large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas with an impact on the atmosphere 23 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. The production of methane by this process is called enteric fermentation, and it accounts for more than a quarter of methane emissions in the United States.

Karl has been Purch's infographics specialist across all editorial properties since 2010. Before joining Purch, Karl spent 11 years at the New York headquarters of The Associated Press, creating news graphics for use around the world in newspapers and on the web. He has a degree in graphic design from Louisiana State University.