Sir, – It is shocking but not surprising to learn that reductions from agriculture, our biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, could be as little as 4 per cent (“Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions to fall by just half of the amount pledged,” May 26th). We have more cows than people in Ireland. They produce a lot of methane and this gas, once in the atmosphere, is 80 times more powerful at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
More than 150 countries including Ireland signed up for the Global Methane Pledge at Cop26 for “fast action on methane to keep a 1.5C future within reach”. But pledges and signing up are of little use without following through with actions, and the most obvious one is to change our model of intensive beef and dairy farming. More horticulture, fewer herds.
Otherwise it appears our pledge is little more than lip service. – Yours, etc,
JOAN BURGESS,
Annmount,
Cork.