Are cow farts really that bad for the environment?

Cows provide us with milk, meat, and footballs. Alas, all that fun and functionality comes at a price -- a very gaseous one.

This article from The Independent explains the seriousness of the problem. The United Nations has declared the methane from cow emissions the "greatest threat to the climate, forests, and wildlife." Livestock emissions are responsible for 18% of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming. That's more than all forms of transportation put together.

So, aside from corking every heifer in the world, how can humans address this? The Straight Dope mentions that administrating antibiotics to cattle could reduce their methane output. But the site goes on to explain that these antibiotics are already in use in the United States. Furthermore, they'd be difficult to administer in less affluent countries.

Truth be told, many sites explain that this is a huge problem, but few offer ideas on solutions. That's understandable because there are clearly no easy answers. As the human population grows, the demand for meat will also rise. That means more cows and more methane. Here's hoping scientists will find an answer soon.