La natural gas energy It is often valued as a less polluting alternative to other fossil fuels such as coal or oil. In fact, in many cases it is used as a natural substitute of these dirtier sources of energy. However, despite this positive perception, the reality is more complex.
Recent studies and reports have indicated that the production and use of natural gas involves a large amount of emissions of polluting gases. This fact is especially evident in the early stages of the process, such as extraction and transportation of gas. Although it is true that its combustion generates less CO2 compared to other fossil fuels, it cannot be overlooked that methane emissions throughout their cycle are significantly harmful. In fact, methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases.
A deeper look at natural gas: What you can't see
When talking about natural gas, it is essential to understand the entire cycle of this fossil fuel. From extraction to final combustion, natural gas produces multi-phase contamination.
Natural gas is essentially a mixture of gases, being methane its primary component. While the combustion of natural gas generates 50-60% less CO2 compared to coal, the real environmental impact is not limited to this final phase. extraction and transportation The gas generates leaks and methane leaks that seriously impact the environment, this gas being 84 times more potent than CO2 in terms of heat retention over a period of 20 years.
During the extraction phase, the use of fracking (hydraulic fracturing) opens multiple sources of fissures in the rocks that release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. This process also uses toxic chemicals which end up contaminating groundwater and affecting the health of nearby populations.
Fracking: The Dark Side of Gas Energy
Fracking has become a key pillar for the gas industry in recent years, especially in countries such as the United States. The technique consists of inject large volumes of water at high pressure to fragment underground rock formations containing natural gas. Although it has allowed a significant increase in gas and oil production, it has caused controversy due to its serious environmental and health impacts.
One of the most visible effects of fracking is the contamination of aquifers. In several extraction areas, pollution has been reported Methane and chemical leaks from fracking into groundwater, affecting the quality of drinking water. In addition, the excessive use of this technique has been linked to the increasing seismic activity in areas where this phenomenon was not previously evident.
Another concern about fracking is the high water consumption which entails, which aggravates the problems of water scarcity in some regions. The emission of volatile organic compounds during operations, causing a noticeable deterioration in local air quality.
Natural gas and its impact on public health
It is not only the environment that is affected by the use of natural gas. From a public health perspective, natural gas can contribute to the emission of fine particles and other toxic compounds that affect the population.
Burning natural gas generates emissions of nitrogen oxides, which although less than those of oil and coal, are sufficient to deteriorate the air quality in regions close to production centres. These particles are linked to serious respiratory diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, cardiovascular disease and even lung cancer.
In addition, a recent study from Harvard University has linked emissions from burning fossil fuels, including natural gas, with millions of premature deathsIn Spain, it is estimated that 18% of annual premature deaths are related to air pollution.
Alternatives to natural gas: the role of renewable energy
Given the environmental and health impact of natural gas, the search for alternatives has intensified. cleaner alternatives that can replace their use. Renewable energies such as solar and wind have gained prominence in the last decade as possible sustainable solutions that help mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Over the past few years, the installation costs of solar panels and wind turbines have been reduced. significantly, which has allowed a rapid expansion of these technologies in several countries. In addition, the implementation of large-scale energy storage systems is solving the problem of intermittency that affects these sources.
However, in many parts of the world, gas continues to play an important role as a backup source for renewable energy and in stabilising the electricity grid. The key to a cleaner future will be to accelerate the transition to an energy system that favours the incorporation of renewable energy rather than continuing to invest in fossil infrastructure.
The challenge will not only be to reduce dependence on natural gas, but to do so in a way that does not require large investments in new gas infrastructure that could become obsolete in a future where renewables predominate.
The continued decline in renewable energy costs and the increasing adoption of energy storage technologies make it clear that the future must be driven by cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.
Ultimately, while natural gas has been touted as a cleaner solution within the fossil fuel framework, its environmental and health impact is considerable when assessed in all its aspects. While it can play a role in the transition to a more sustainable energy future, the focus must be on accelerating the adoption of renewable energy such as solar and wind.
Adriana I liked your article and I want to use it for my thesis, could you pass me your data to reference you correctly and the date on which you published this article. Thanks
New clients of Fracking in Chiapas, buses that run on natural gas, and few know the ecological damage it entails in the country, despite the fact that it carries "ECO" in its name. Hydraulic fracturing destroys the nature of our country
The big problem for environmental groups in this country is the lack of technical training and the lack of intellectual rigor in their arguments. It is important before facing a technique or the exploitation of a resource, to know it thoroughly, if not as I have said before, the arguments lack intellectual rigor and therefore of any validity.
The debate is absolutely necessary, society must be aware and current development cannot compromise the development of future generations, but ignorance and fear cannot stop current development.
Natural gas when burned produces 1/5 of the CO2 emissions that those produced by burning coal, of course it is not 100% clean but it is a much better option.
It is false that hydraulic fracturing is necessary for the extraction of natural gas, it can occur in a conventional way if the reservoir allows it, and this has been done until now.
Finally, uncontrolled methane emissions during natural gas production are tried to be minimized as much as possible, this is easily understandable, when an extraction company spends huge amounts of money on a production well, the last thing it wants is for the object to your research will escape you. Still, it is sometimes unavoidable, but to mitigate this in production plants there are torches that burn the escaping methane (very harmful and with a greenhouse effect 8 times higher than CO2) into CO2, with a much lower greenhouse effect.
Global warming is a very serious problem to take into account, and the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere must be reduced as much as possible. Personally, I believe in a transition towards a society with lower and lower carbon emission levels until reaching 0. But that in the short term is complicated and it is important to be rigorous in the debate and take into account the most interesting models.
regards
Manuel Ramirez let me tell you that your article is quite good, I thought that "natural" gas did not really pollute but I see now totally different, it is painful how water is sacrificed, for this.
You are right about wind energy, but this also has its cons because when they find long periods of winter this energy would run out, now I would like to ask you what other non-polluting options we could use?
Thanks for your comment Carlos!
caring for the environment is caring for ourselves
Excellent theme and good point ... everything that is fossil will never be green
It is true it is natural gas but it is harmless (that's what people think). But it is a fossil fuel which means that it is depleted and polluted
The publication of the article is very good. I subscribe to the few interested «from the clan of the race», regarding the greenhouse effect and global warming that affects us all and in the end it will kill us not to stop it for the anxious search for riches that no one will take to the grave but that yes it will leave in return, its cooperation poisoning the planet. This has led me to promote very soon an important electrification project in the Dominican Republic, starting with the free fall of the water from the Caribbean Sea by gravity in a first stage through tunnels with low-fall anti-corrosion turbines, and in a second stage with the same amount of water through the passage through a large reverse osmosis machine room, which deposited in a large reservoir will produce that second stage. The resulting water already at 44 meters below sea level (in the valley of La Bahía de Neiba) will be industrialized and used for consumption and agro-industry as well as chlorides and other products that will be extracted by electrolysis such as molecular gold, etc. .
I would like to know which of the two gases, propane and natural, produce more carbon monoxide when burned?
I ask because I always used bottled propane gas and recently switched to home natural gas.
Since I switched to natural gas, I have detected a certain burning smell that makes me dizzy, which did not happen to me when I used propane. I further understand that c. it is odorless ... can someone help me?
Good morning, could you give me your information so that I can refer you to part of my research. Thanks
Interesting blog. I learn something from every website every day. It is always exhilarating to be able to read other writers' content. I would like to use something from your post on my website, naturally I will leave a link, if you allow me. Thanks for sharing.
Good evening I am conducting an investigation on the contamination of natural gas and I liked your article could you give me the data for reference my investigation.
Thank you
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Manuel Ramírez, I liked your article on "natural gas energy also produces pollution" and I liked it and I want to use it for my thesis, could you pass me your data to reference you correctly and the date on which you published this article. Thanks