Methane Leaks

User @ Scott McLaughlin

Reply to @NatGeo @NatGeoEnergy Is there a major loss of gas to the atmosphere? Is there a net gain in terms of carbon/pollution v. coal? 1:41 AM - 9 Jul 2015

Scott McLaughlin refers to a key issue for the natural gas industry, which often positions itself as a clean alternative to coal. Leaks of methane, the main component of natural gas and a potent heat-trapping greenhouse gas, threaten to undercut the benefits.

The industry has taken measures to contain gas that escapes along various points in the chain from well to end user—see "Oil and Gas Industry Faces Its Methane Problem"—but critics say voluntary measures aren't enough. The Obama administration proposed rules earlier this year aimed at reining in the industry's emissions, though it only targeted new facilities, not existing ones.

Reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas sector is one of five key measures the International Energy Agency recently listed for addressing climate change. Some researchers in California, however, recently found that even without leaks, the shale gas fracking boom won't help reduce carbon emissions by much, in part because it could hinder the growth of solar and wind energy.

The story is part of a special series that explores energy issues. For more, visit The Great Energy Challenge.

DISCUSSION “Environmental Protection”

Based on the texts 1, 2, 3, 4 “Environmental Protection”

Read the clichés before you start working.

1. What are the problems of the environment today? Why do they occur (появляться)?

2. Do we have any environmental problems in our region? What are they?

3. Look at the pictures and say what’s wrong (неправильно) there.

4. Why is it necessary to protect the environment?

Use the clichés and the following expressions:

- the existence of the whole planet depends on it;

- to prevent the ecological catastrophe;

- to play an important role/to be of primary importance;

- to gain a widespread popularity;

- to restore the ecological balance;

- to stop the damage of the nature, the exhausting of the natural resources, the greenhouse effect, the climate change, the disappearance of species, etc.;

- to use the natural resources rationally;

- to require the co-operation of all the nations, the making of special organizations, the changing of attitude of every single person towards the environment;

- etc.

5. Think of all the negative factors influencing the nature and say what’s bad in them. How can we classify all of them? Make the columns in your copy-book and put them down. Discuss them with the group-mates.

6. Give the definitions (определения) to the following (следующий) phenomena and comment on them using the clichés.

Example: Overpopulation is a tendency of increase of planet population to unsustainable levels leading to shortage of resources.