What's new with Burger King? It's their Reduced Methane Emissions Beef Whopper. If you've tried their Whopper before, you might like it even more now the company has considered measures friendlier for the environment.
The company has added lemongrass to some of its cow's diets to reduce methane transmissions that contribute to climate change. The fast-food chain announced the news on Tuesday, July 14. It said their Reduced Methane Emissions Beef Whopper would immediately be available in selected restaurants in New York, Miami, Austin, Portland, and Los Angeles. Burger King, however, did not disclose how many of its cows would be fed lemongrass, and whether they would change the diet of all of their livestock.
How to Reduce Methane Emissions from Cattle
Cows naturally emit methane as a by-product of their digestion. This, in particular, has become a potential public relations obstacle for major burger chains who want to appear eco-friendly. The company claims that the adjustment in their cow's diet could reduce daily methane emissions by up to 33%.
According to Restaurant Brands International, lemongrass fed to cattle has been shown to shape the digestion process and improve nutrient utilization. More specifically, it could reduce methane formation.
Furthermore, lemongrass contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial and antiprotozoal characteristics that can be used to modify rumen fermentation.
Burger King collaborated with scientists at the University of California, Davis and the Autonomous University at the State of Mexico to test and develop its new formula. They added approximately 100 grams of lemongrass leaves to the cows' daily diets.
According to DSM, another alternative to reducing methane emission in cattle is to add a quarter teaspoon of Bovaer per cow to their daily diet. The feeding additive is known to suppress the enzyme that causes methane production in a cow's rumen.
Furthermore, it consistently reduces enteric methane emission by approximately 30%. Bovaer takes effect immediately and is safely broken down in the cow's digestive system.
Sources of Greenhouse Gases
The agriculture sector was deemed responsible for 9.9% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Other sources included transportation (28.2%), electricity production (26.9%), industry (22%), commercial and residential (12.3%), and land use and forestry (116%).
The agency says that since 1990, gross US greenhouse gas emissions have increased by 3.7%. The rate of emissions can rise and fall yearly due to various changes in the economy, the price of fuel, and other factors.
In 2018, US greenhouse gas emissions rose compared to 2017 levels. They claim that the increase in Co2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion was a result of multiple factors, such as increased energy use from greater heating and cooling needs. This was due to a colder winter and hotter summer in 2018 compared to 2017.
In a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, it has been discovered that about two out of three Americans say corporations are accountable in combating climate change.
