Natural gas is an essential component of electricity generation, industrial
heating, chemical feedstock, and residential and commercial water and space
heating. Global consumption of natural gas has grown from 15.6% in 1965 to about
24% at present.
Even with its low costs, easy access and positive environmental impacts, MIT
researchers recommend that more studies should be done to reduce water usage in
fracking, develop cost-effective water recycling technologies, and explore
natural gas sites outside the U.S. in order to diversify the natural gas supply.
Following MIT’s recommendations, natural gas could serve as a “bridge” toward
reduced carbon emissions.
At present, hydraulic fracturing is loosely regulated and strongly correlated to
an increasing number of earthquakes. Whether or not these earthquakes have
caused serious damage to people or their property is irrelevant. The fact is
that fracking has not, so far, produced outstanding environmental benefits.
With stronger regulations and more investment in research and innovation, the
natural gas extracted from fracking could be a safe and easy alternative to
coal. There is plenty of the stuff, it is relatively easy to access, it is
cheap, and it does not require significant changes to the current technology and
infrastructure to be produced.
Natural gas is certainly not the final energy solution, but it could provide a
clean transition toward whatever that solution might be.
Maldives Male
Spain, Madrid,
Ecuador, Quito
Ireland, Dublin,
Costa Rica, San José
Nicaragua, Managua,
Sierra Leone, Freetown,
Indonesia, Jakarta City,
Liechtenstein, Vaduz,
Grand Rapids Michigan USA
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