Australia to lead the fight on Global Warming?

Well, nothing quite so spectacular really - however the latest headline from the ABC suggests that our native species are among the most ecologically advanced in the world.

Did you know for example that kangaroos do NOT contribute to global warming?

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroos' flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Queensland Government senior research scientist Athol Klieve says 14 per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.

"If you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent," he said.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," Dr Klieve said.

Not even the farmers are laughing at this one!

Just imagine if Australia could sell Kangaroo bacteria to the world's farmers as a way in which THEY can contribute to lowering global warming? What an export item THIS would be!