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Natural Gas, Methane, and Global Warming Robert Howarth The David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology Cornell University, Ithaca,

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Presentation on theme: "Natural Gas, Methane, and Global Warming Robert Howarth The David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology Cornell University, Ithaca,"— Presentation transcript:

1 Natural Gas, Methane, and Global Warming Robert Howarth The David R. Atkinson Professor of Ecology & Environmental Biology Cornell University, Ithaca, NY USA January 28, 2014

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4 (Hayhoe et al. 2002) For just the release of carbon dioxide during combustion….. Is natural gas a “bridge fuel?” Natural gas 15 Diesel oil 20 Coal 25 g C of CO 2 MJ -1 of energy

5 Methane emissions – the Achilles’ heel of natural gas Natural gas is mostly methane. Methane is 2 nd most important gas behind human- caused global warming. Methane is much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, so even small emissions matter.

6 Carbon Dioxide Methane

7 Marcellus Well Being “Finished” Outside Dimock, PA, June 2011 Photo and FLIR Methane-Tuned Video Courtesy Frank Finan Video

8 http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=12-P13-00002&segmentID=3 Bruce Gellerman, “Living on Earth,” Jan. 13, 2012, based on work of Nathan Phillips

9 Pipeline accidents and explosions happen, due to large leaks…. ….. small leaks are ubiquitous. Flames consume homes during a massive fire in a residential neighborhood September 9, 2010 in San Bruno, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Pipelines in US are old! PHMSA 2009 Transmission Annual Data

10 20-year time frame Howarth et al. 2011 high methane high methane low methane low methane surface deep Shale Gas Conventional Natural Gas Coal Oil

11 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 4321043210 Percent methane emission from natural gas Greenhouse gas emissions relative to coal Greenhouse gas consequences for natural gas compared to coal (compared over integrated 20-year time frame) Better than coal Worse than coal Electricity EPA 2011 Howarth et al. 2011 Extrapolated from NOAA studies

12 Coal-powered plant Natural gas electricity Heat pump Gas burner Domestic hot water heating

13 0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 4321043210 Percent methane emission from natural gas Greenhouse gas emissions relative to coal Greenhouse gas consequences for natural gas compared to coal (compared over integrated 20-year time frame) Better than coal Worse than coal Electricity Hot water EPA 2011 Howarth et al. 2011 Extrapolated from NOAA studies Water heated by natural gas has a very large greenhouse gas footprint

14 http://news.discovery.com/earth/alas kas-arctic-tundra-feeling-the- heat.html 1.5 o C threshold 2.0 o C threshold Dangerous tipping points are only 15 to 35 years into the future. Controlling methane is CRITICAL to the solution! Shindell et al. 2012

15 (Howarth et al. 2012, based on EPA (2011) US National Methane Emissions for 2009

16 Thanks for the invitation to participate. Special thanks to Tony Ingraffea, Bongghi Hong, and Drew Shindell. Funding: Park Foundation Wallace Global Fund Cornell University Shale gas…. A bridge to nowhere

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