Natural gas boom threatens efforts on climate change

TRENTON, Canada

The worldwide boom in natural gas is threatening efforts to stop climate change and Canada plays a big part in the equation, Canadian media reported Tuesday.

That’s according to a new report from fossil fuel watchdog Global Energy Monitor.

The report says that based on projections, liquefied natural gas development will increase supply to 806 million tonnes above current levels by 2030, thanks in large part to the North American fracking boom.

Canada will contribute 35% to that rise in natural gas, second only to the United States at 39%.

But to keep global warming below 1.5°C – a goal set in the Paris Accord and signed by all countries except the U.S. – use of natural gas needs to be reduced by 15% by 2030 and 43% by 2050.

The report says that puts the world on a “collision course” with the goal set by the Paris Accord.

It is a common belief that natural gas, which emits only half the greenhouse gases as dirty coal, is a greener alternative.

But methane gas escapes during natural gas extraction and methane is far worse than carbon dioxide from coal, with about 30 times the warming effect, rendering natural gas as greener energy assumption false.

“Even today, there’s still talk of natural gas as a bridge toward renewables, which is completely contrary to the facts,” said Ted Nace, executive director of Global Energy Monitor. The organization is an international non-government entity that tracks world-wide fossil fuel consumption and projects.

Nace’s position is backed by Isabelle Turcotte, a federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, a Canadian non-profit think tank, who says those who think natural gas is the road to stopping climate change are perpetuating “a fallacy.”