THE DARK SIDE OF METHANE:

Methane is a greenhouse gas that people rarely if ever talk about. Even fewer people know that methane is a major contributing factor to global warming. In this article I expose how this gas often credited for cutting emissions make this clean fuel more detrimental to the environment than we know.

What is Methane?

Methane is the main component of natural gas used for generating heat and electricity in homes around the world. It possesses the attributes of being colorless, odorless and highly flammable. It is naturally composed of a carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Methane is naturally produced, but it can also be made synthetically. A crucial facet of methane is that when burned in the presence of oxygen it produces water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Why is it a Greenhouse Gas?

When methane leaks into the air before being used, it absorbs solar radiation consequently warming the atmosphere. Leakages can be through oil and gas operations such as pipe leaks. While oil and gas are being extracted from the earth through wells, methane often leaks during development. Further, continued operation of an oil or gas well can further lead to leaks. On average, about 3% of methane leaks from the total gas produced. Bearing in mind such a small volume contributes to the 25% rate of global warming, the data is shocking.

The environmental protection agency reported that methane made up 10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States alone. The compelling factor here is that even though it is not the most prodigiously abundant greenhouse gas, its effects are one of the most powerful. Research shows that methane is 84 more times more potent than carbon dioxide.  The reason is because it absorbs heat more effectively than carbon dioxide. The saving grace is that methane does not linger in the atmosphere for as long a time as carbon dioxide. Currently, about 25% of global warming faced today is caused by methane emissions. The largest sources of these emissions stem from the oil and gas industry.

 Transitioning away from natural gases.

Addressing all forms of greenhouse gas emissions is the key to reducing and ultimately stopping global warming. From these insights, it can be seen that yet another greenhouse gas is often produced when sourcing for fuel. Creating awareness is of paramount importance to reducing methane production both in the short and long term. Altogether, the ultimate ideal would be investing more resources into renewable sources of fuel and green energy in general to make them more reliable and affordable. The future of zero emissions therefore lies in transitioning away from natural gases altogether.

Sources:

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a28858699/what-is-methane/

https://www.britannica.com/science/methane

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/30012020/natural-gas-methane-carbon-emissions

https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-just-found-an-unexpectedly-large-natural-source-of-greenhouse-gases

https://www.edf.org/climate/methane-other-important-greenhouse-gas