Bacteria Superheros

Researchers have discovered numerous bacteria that consume methane!

Scientists have discovered a type of bacteria called methanotrophs that can consume methane and other greenhouse gases and potentially help protect against climate change.

Let's review what methane is. Methane is a greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases come from many places, including factories, which emit CO2. This is one cause of climate change. Methane and other greenhouse gases are harmful not only to humans but also to all living things.                                                                   

A group of scientists from The University of Washington discovered that they can use methanotrophs to take methane and change it into CO2 (a much less powerful greenhouse gas) and biomass, which can go into cells and help make protein.

Sadly, this process is not currently in use because scientists don’t currently have the right machines to convert the methanotrophs. Perhaps they need investors’ help!

I wonder if scientists can create clones of this bacteria and multiply it to enhance its ability to mitigate greenhouse emissions more rapidly. I hope someday I can be part of a scientific study like this!

Researchers believe a combination of reducing our emissions and removing methane from the atmosphere is necessary to prevent climate change. However, there's a caution: certain emission reduction methods might unintentionally increase the production of nitrous oxide, another powerful greenhouse gas. The mentioned technology that uses bacteria to tackle methane doesn't produce nitrous oxide, making it a promising solution without that drawback.