Measurements of methane and nitrous oxide in human breath and the development of UK scale emissions

Press/Media: Research

Description

The UK population collectively breathes out about 1,100 tonnes of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide every year. That’s one key finding from our new research.
Those breath emissions are a mere 0.05% and 0.1% of the UK’s total human-generated emissions of the two gases respectively. Their overall contribution to the country’s collective carbon footprint of course pales in comparison to fossil fuel burning and other major sources of emissions.
If you’re looking to reduce your climate impact, don’t hold your breath.

Period13 Dec 2023 → 12 Jan 2024

Media coverage

1

Media coverage

  • TitleContrary to widespread misrepresentation, new study finds “extremely minimal” impact of human breathing on climate
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletClimate Feeeback
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryFrance
    Date12/01/24
    DescriptionKEY TAKE AWAY: Human breathing has been found to contribute around one hundredth of one percent of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Scientists do not claim we are fueling global warming by breathing. The human activities that are, such as greenhouse gas emissions from energy, transport, and land use, are well-known and must be reduced to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.
    Producer/AuthorStephen Bell
    PersonsNicholas J. Cowan, Mathew Heal

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleWe calculated the UK's greenhouse-gas emissions from people breathing out: here's what we found
    Degree of recognitionInternational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeWeb
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date13/12/23
    DescriptionThe UK population collectively breathes out about 1,100 tonnes of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide every year. That’s one key finding from our new research.
    Those breath emissions are a mere 0.05% and 0.1% of the UK’s total human-generated emissions of the two gases respectively. Their overall contribution to the country’s collective carbon footprint of course pales in comparison to fossil fuel burning and other major sources of emissions.
    If you’re looking to reduce your climate impact, don’t hold your breath.
    PersonsNicholas J. Cowan, Mathew Heal