The phrase "canary in a coalmine" comes from the age-old practice of placing a caged canary in a mine to detect explosive gases; the canary's death was a signal for miners to evacuate. The unfortunate death signaled methane gas. While the detection system has improved, coalmines tap into this dangerous, yet useful, gas in mines around the world.

Methane is a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The Environmental Protection Agency has had a program to reduce coalmine methane emissions since 1994, but it was recently announced that the program might extend to China — both parties are weighing the possibility of capturing the methane from three Chinese coalmines.

The yearly equivalent of emissions from 330,000 cars would be collected, and the methane, being a clean-burning energy source, would be used or sold.

So ... greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, mine safety is enhanced, mines find a new source of revenue, and we're working with the Chinese to protect the environment.

How soon can we start?

Questions can be sent to Jim Parks at jrparks@mac.com. To find out more about Jim Parks and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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