Editing Natural gas (section)

==Environmental effects==
[[File:2021 Death rates, by energy source.svg |thumb|upright=1.35 |Deaths caused by use of fossil fuels such as natural gas (areas of rectangles in chart) greatly exceed those resulting from production of [[wind energy]], [[Nuclear power|nuclear energy]] or [[solar energy]] (rectangles barely visible in chart).<ref name=OWID_SafestEnergy_2021>{{cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |title=What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? |url=https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy |journal=Our World in Data |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115112316/https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy |archive-date=15 January 2024 |date=2021 |url-status=live }} Data sources: Markandya & Wilkinson (2007); UNSCEAR (2008; 2018); Sovacool et al. (2016); IPCC AR5 (2014); Pehl et al. (2017); Ember Energy (2021).</ref>]]

{{See also|Environmental impact of the energy industry}}

===Greenhouse effect and natural gas release===
{{See also|Greenhouse effect|Atmospheric methane|Gas venting|Fugitive gas emissions}}
[[File:1979- Radiative forcing - climate change - global warming - EPA NOAA.svg|thumb|upright=1.35 | The warming influence (called [[radiative forcing]]) of long-lived greenhouse gases has increased substantially in the last 40 years, with carbon dioxide and methane being the dominant drivers of global warming.<ref name=NOAA_AGGI_2023>{{cite web |title=The NOAA Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI) |url=https://gml.noaa.gov/aggi/aggi.html |website=NOAA.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005195609/https://gml.noaa.gov/aggi/aggi.html |archive-date=5 October 2024 |date=2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
Natural gas is a growing contributor to [[climate change]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Valerie Volcovici |last2=Kate Abnett |last3=Matthew Green |date=2020-08-18 |title=Cleaner but not clean - Why scientists say natural gas won't avert climate disaster |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-gas-climatebox-explainer-idUSKCN25E1DR}}</ref><ref name="ieaco2">{{Cite web |title=Data and Statistics: CO2 emissions by energy source, World 1990-2017 |url=https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics?country=WORLD&fuel=CO2%20emissions&indicator=CO2%20emissions%20by%20energy%20source |access-date=2020-04-24 |publisher=International Energy Agency (Paris)}}</ref><ref name="owidebf">{{Cite journal |author=Hannah Ritchie |author-link=Hannah Ritchie | author2=Max Roser |author2-link=Max Roser |year=2020 |title=CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: CO₂ Emissions by Fuel |url=https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions#co2-emissions-by-fuel |journal=Our World in Data |publisher=Published online at OurWorldInData.org. |access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>  Both the NG itself (specifically [[Methane emissions|methane]]) and [[Carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere|carbon dioxide]], which is released when natural gas is burned, are [[greenhouse gas]]es.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-27 |title=Why carbon dioxide isn't the only greenhouse gas we must reduce – Dr Richard Dixon |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/columnists/climate-change-carbon-dioxide-main-greenhouse-gas-cutting-methane-emissions-crucial-too-dr-richard-dixon-2925261 |access-date=2020-08-17 |website=www.scotsman.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AGI">{{Cite web |date=2018-05-16 |title=Methane Emissions in the Oil and Gas Industry |url=https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/factsheet/pe/methane-emissions-oil-gas-industry |access-date=2019-05-01 |publisher=American Geosciences Institute}}</ref>
Human activity is responsible for about 60% of all [[methane emissions]] and for most of the resulting increase in atmospheric methane.<ref name="nationalgeo">{{Cite web |date=2019-01-23 |title=Methane, explained |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/methane/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417010815/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/methane/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2019 |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=National Geographic |publisher=nationalgeographic.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Carbon Project (GCP) |url=https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/methanebudget/index.htm |access-date=2020-04-24 |website=www.globalcarbonproject.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name="IPCC_AR5">Myhre, G., D. Shindell, F.-M. Bréon, W. Collins, J. Fuglestvedt, J. Huang, D. Koch, J.-F. Lamarque, D. Lee, B. Mendoza, T. Nakajima, A. Robock, G. Stephens, T. Takemura and H. Zhang (2013) [http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf "Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing"]. Table 8.7 on page 714. In: ''Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change''. Stocker, T.F., D. Qin, G.-K. Plattner, M. Tignor, S.K. Allen, J. Boschung, A. Nauels, Y. Xia, V. Bex and P.M. Midgley (eds.). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New York, New York, US. [http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/report/WG1AR5_Chapter08_FINAL.pdf Anthropogenic and Natural Radiative Forcing]</ref> Natural gas is intentionally released or is otherwise known to leak during the extraction, storage, transportation, and distribution of [[fossil fuels]]. Globally, methane accounts for an estimated 33% of anthropogenic [[Greenhouse effect|greenhouse gas warming]].<ref name="Initiative">{{Cite web |title=Global Methane Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities |url=https://www.globalmethane.org/documents/gmi-mitigation-factsheet.pdf |access-date=2020-04-24 |publisher=[[Global Methane Initiative]]}}</ref> The decomposition of municipal solid waste (a source of [[landfill gas]]) and wastewater account for an additional 18% of such emissions.   These estimates include substantial uncertainties<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caroline Gramling |date=2020-02-19 |title=Fossil fuel use may emit 40 percent more methane than we thought |url=https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fossil-fuel-use-may-emit-more-methane-than-thought |access-date=2020-04-24 |publisher=Science News}}</ref> which should be reduced in the near future with improved [[Earth observation satellite|satellite]] measurements, such as those planned for [[MethaneSAT]].<ref name=AGI/>

After release to the atmosphere, methane is removed by gradual oxidation to carbon dioxide and water by hydroxyl radicals ({{chem|O|H|-}}) formed in the troposphere or stratosphere, giving the overall chemical reaction {{chem|C|H|4}} + 2{{chem|O|2}} → {{chem|C|O|2}} + 2{{chem|H|2|O}}.<ref name="Manahan">{{Cite book |last=Stanley Manahan |title=Environmental Chemistry |publisher=CRC press |year=2010 |isbn=978-1420059205 |edition=9th}}</ref><ref name="NASA GISS">{{Cite web |last=Gavin Schmidt |date=September 2004 |title=Methane: A Scientific Journey from Obscurity to Climate Super-Stardom |url=http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/features/200409_methane/ |access-date=2013-06-11 |website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Goddard Institute for Space Studies}}</ref> While the lifetime of atmospheric methane is relatively short when compared to carbon dioxide,<ref name="Ny times">{{Cite news |date=2009-10-14 |title=Curbing Emissions by Sealing Gas Leaks |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/business/energy-environment/15degrees.html?_r=3&hpw& |access-date=2013-06-11}}</ref> with a [[half-life]] of about 7 years, it is more efficient at trapping heat in the atmosphere, so that a given quantity of methane has 84 times the [[global-warming potential]] of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period and 28 times over a 100-year period. Natural gas is thus a potent greenhouse gas due to the strong [[radiative forcing]] of methane in the short term, and the continuing effects of carbon dioxide in the longer term.<ref name="IPCC_AR5" />

Targeted efforts to reduce warming quickly by reducing anthropogenic methane emissions is a [[climate change mitigation]] strategy supported by the [[Global Methane Initiative]].<ref name="Initiative" />

===Greenhouse gas emissions===
When refined and burned, natural gas can produce 25–30% less carbon dioxide per [[joule]] delivered than oil, and 40–45% less than coal.<ref name="NGandE">{{Cite web |title=Natural Gas and the Environment |url=http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503132200/http://www.naturalgas.org/environment/naturalgas.asp |archive-date=2009-05-03 |access-date=2013-06-11 |publisher=NaturalGas.org}}</ref> It can also produce potentially fewer toxic [[pollutant]]s than other hydrocarbon fuels.<ref name=NGandE/><ref name="NGinASIA">{{Cite web |last=Mikkal Herberg |others=(written for 2011 Pacific Energy Summit) |title=Natural Gas in Asia: History and Prospects |url=http://www.nbr.org/downloads/pdfs/eta/PES_2011_Herberg.pdf |website=The National Bureau of Asian Research}}</ref> However, compared to other major fossil fuels, natural gas causes more emissions in relative terms during the production and transportation of the fuel, meaning that the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions are about 50% higher than the direct emissions from the site of consumption.<ref>Cooney et al. (2014): [https://www.energy.gov/fe/downloads/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied-natural-gas-united-states Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States]. National Energy Technology Laboratory, US Department of Energy.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rosselot |first1=Kirsten S. |last2=Allen |first2=David T. |last3=Ku |first3=Anthony Y. |date=2021-07-05 |title=Comparing Greenhouse Gas Impacts from Domestic Coal and Imported Natural Gas Electricity Generation in China |journal=ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering |language=en |volume=9 |issue=26 |pages=8759–8769 |doi=10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c01517 |issn=2168-0485 |s2cid=237875562|doi-access=free }}</ref>

In terms of the warming effect over 100 years, natural gas production and use comprises about one fifth of human [[greenhouse gas emissions]], and this contribution is growing rapidly. Globally, natural gas use emitted about 7.8&nbsp;billion tons of {{chem|C|O|2}} in 2020 (including flaring), while coal and oil use emitted 14.4 and 12&nbsp;billion tons, respectively.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ritchie |first1=Hannah |last2=Roser |first2=Max |date=2020-05-11 |title=CO2 emissions by fuel |url=https://ourworldindata.org/emissions-by-fuel |journal=Our World in Data |access-date=2021-01-22}}</ref> The IEA estimates the energy sector (oil, natural gas, coal and bioenergy) to be responsible for about 40% of human methane emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Methane Tracker 2022 – Analysis |url=https://www.iea.org/reports/global-methane-tracker-2022 |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=IEA |date=23 February 2022 |language=en-GB}}</ref>  According to the [[IPCC Sixth Assessment Report]], natural gas consumption grew by 15% between 2015 and 2019, compared to a 5% increase in oil and oil product consumption.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Canadell |first1=Josep G. |title={{Harvnb|IPCC AR6 WG1|2021}} |last2=Scheel Monteiro |first2=Pedro |last3=Costa |first3=Marcos H. |last4=Cotrim da Cunha |first4=Leticia |last5=Cox |first5=Peter M. |last6=Eliseev |first6=Alexey V. |last7=Henson |first7=Stephanie |last8=Ishii |first8=Masao |last9=Jaccard |first9=Samuel |year=2021 |chapter=Chapter 5: Global carbon and other biogeochemical cycles and feedbacks |ref={{harvid|IPCC AR6 WG1 Ch5|2021}} |display-authors=4 |chapter-url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Chapter_05.pdf |last10=Koven |first10=Charles |last11=Lohila |first11=Annalea |last12=Patra |first12=Prabir K. |last13=Piao |first13=Shilong}}</ref>

The continued financing and construction of new gas [[pipeline transport|pipelines]] indicates that huge emissions of fossil greenhouse gases could be locked-in for 40 to 50 years into the future.<ref name="GEM2019">{{Cite news |date=2019-04-25 |title=North American drilling boom threatens big blow to climate efforts, study finds |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/25/us-oil-gas-boom-climate-change-report}}</ref> In the U.S. state of [[Texas]] alone, five new long-distance gas pipelines have been under construction, with the first entering service in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-24 |title=Gulf Coast Express Pipeline placed in service ahead of schedule |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190924006044/en/Gulf-Coast-Express-Pipeline-Service-Schedule |access-date=2019-12-31 |publisher=Business Wire}}</ref> and the others scheduled to come online during 2020–2022.<ref name="DOE-GFV-2019">{{Cite web |date=2019-06-01 |title=Natural Gas Flaring and Venting: State and Federal Regulatory Overview, Trends, and Impacts |url=https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/08/f65/Natural%20Gas%20Flaring%20and%20Venting%20Report.pdf |access-date=2019-12-29 |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy}}</ref>{{rp|23}}

====Installation bans====
To reduce its greenhouse emissions, the [[Netherlands]] is subsidizing a transition away from natural gas for all homes in the country by 2050. In [[Amsterdam]], no new residential gas accounts have been allowed since 2018, and all homes in the city are expected to be converted by 2040 to use the excess heat from adjacent industrial buildings and operations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-01 |title=Van der Pekbuurt gaat als eerste Amsterdamse wijk van het aardgas af |url=https://www.at5.nl/artikelen/186860/maandag-1000-uur-van-der-pekbuurt-gaat-als-eerste-wijk-van-het-aardgas-af-2 |language=nl}}</ref>
Some cities in the United States have started prohibiting gas hookups for new houses, with state laws passed and under consideration to either require electrification or prohibit local requirements.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-09 |title=Dozens Of US Cities Are Banning Natural Gas Hookups In New Buildings — #CancelGas #ElectrifyEverything |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2021/03/09/dozens-of-us-cities-are-banning-natural-gas-hookups-in-new-buildings-cancelgas-electrifyeverything/}}</ref> New gas appliance hookups are banned in [[New York State]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/02/environment-gas-ban-stoves/239e436e-e92c-11ed-869e-986dd5713bc8_story.html |agency=[[Associated Press]] |title=Bye-bye blue flame? NY to require gas-free new buildings |author=Michael Hill |date=2 May 2023}}</ref> and the [[Australian Capital Territory]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Canberra Natural Gas Bans To Hit Appliance Retailers |url=https://www.channelnews.com.au/canberra-natural-gas-bans-to-hit-appliance-retailers/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> Additionally, the state of [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]] in Australia has implemented a ban on new natural gas hookups starting from January 1, 2024, as part of its gas substitution roadmap.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-gas-substitution-roadmap |title=Victoria's Gas Substitution Roadmap |publisher=Victorian Government |access-date=2023-10-07}}</ref>  This followed campaigning which resulted in a prohibition on onshore gas exploration and production in Victoria in 2014. This was partially lifted in 2021 but a constitutional ban remains on fracking.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=Millie |date=2022-06-01 |title='Always look up': Connecting Community for a Win against Gas |url=https://commonslibrary.org/always-look-up-connecting-community-for-a-win-against-gas/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The UK government is also experimenting with alternative home heating technologies to meet its climate goals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heat in Buildings |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/heat-in-buildings |access-date=2021-08-09}}</ref> To preserve their businesses, natural gas utilities in the United States have been lobbying for laws preventing local electrification ordinances, and are promoting [[renewable natural gas]] and [[hydrogen fuel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jeff Brady |last2=Dan Charles |date=2021-02-22 |title=As Cities Grapple With Climate Change, Gas Utilities Fight To Stay In Business |publisher=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/22/967439914/as-cities-grapple-with-climate-change-gas-utilities-fight-to-stay-in-business}}</ref>

===Other pollutants===
Although natural gas produces far lower amounts of [[sulfur dioxide]] and [[NOx|nitrogen oxides]] (NOx) than other fossil fuels,<ref name=NGinASIA/> {{NOx}} from burning natural gas in homes can be a health hazard.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lebel |first1=Eric D. |last2=Finnegan |first2=Colin J. |last3=Ouyang |first3=Zutao |last4=Jackson |first4=Robert B. |date=2022-02-15 |title=Methane and NO x Emissions from Natural Gas Stoves, Cooktops, and Ovens in Residential Homes |journal=Environmental Science & Technology |language=en |volume=56 |issue=4 |pages=2529–2539 |bibcode=2022EnST...56.2529L |doi=10.1021/acs.est.1c04707 |issn=0013-936X |pmid=35081712 |s2cid=246296077|doi-access=free }}</ref>

===Radionuclides===
Natural gas extraction also produces radioactive isotopes of [[polonium]] (Po-210), [[lead]] (Pb-210) and [[radon]] (Rn-220). Radon is a gas with initial activity from 5 to 200,000 [[becquerels]] per cubic meter of gas. It decays rapidly to Pb-210 which can build up as a thin film in gas extraction equipment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2024 |title=Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) |url=http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/radiation-and-health/naturally-occurring-radioactive-materials-norm.aspx |access-date=2017-11-22 |website=World Nuclear Association}}</ref>