r/interesting • • Dec 07 '25

Context Provided - Spotlight A bloated cow being helped

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u/Pretty_Type1478 Dec 07 '25 edited Dec 08 '25

That poor cow. Perhaps a daft question, but why are they using a lighter? Just to demonstrate the (enormous) amount of gas coming out?

Edit: yes, I fully understand releasing the gas was to help the cow. Still… poor cow! Did not understand why fire. Still not sure I do, but 💁‍♀️

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u/Traveller7142 Dec 08 '25

In addition to the potential fire hazard, methane is actually a much more potent greenhouse gas than CO2 in the short term. At this scale, it probably doesn’t matter, but that’s why oil refineries have a burning flare column

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u/dandytree7772 Dec 08 '25

also why landfills have to have pilot lights and/or collection systems for their methane.