The decomposition of organics in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas that, according to the EPA, is70 times more effective at trappingradiant heat than carbon dioxide. As a result, landfills have become the third largest source of human-caused greenhouse gases in the US. In contrast, composting this material creates a valuable soil enhancer that replenishes depleted soils, protects against erosion, can replace synthetic fertilizers and helps retain water. Composting our organics protects air, water and soil quality.
Robert Watkins, the co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Third Assessment, recently wrote:
“T(he) Copenhagen talks focused on the leading climate change culprit: CO2. But reversing global temperature increases by reducing carbon emissions will take many decades, if not centuries. Even if the largest cuts in CO2 contemplated in Copenhagen are implemented, it simply will not reverse the melting of ice already occurring ...The most obvious strategy is to make an all-out effort to reduce emissions of methane. Methane’s short life makes it especially interesting in the short run, given the pace of climate change. If we need to suppress temperature quickly in order to preserve glaciers, reducing methane can make an immediate impact. Compared to the massive requirements necessary to reduce CO2, cutting methane requires only modest investment. Where we stop methane emissions, cooling follows within a decade, not centuries. That could make the difference for many fragile systems on the brink.”
Robert Watson and Mahamed El-Ashry, “A Fast, Cheap Way to Cool the Planet,” The Wall Street Journal (December 29, 2009).
