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Gas Flaring - A Burning Issue

A PROBLEM INVISIBLE TO MOST OF US IS ACTUALLY SO HUGE THAT IT'S VISIBLE FROM SPACE.  GAS FLARING IS THE BURNING ISSUE ON TODAY'S ENVIRONMINUTE.

IN MANY REMOTE OIL-PRODUCING AREAS, THE EXCESS NATURAL GAS THAT’S RAISED WITH CRUDE OIL IS BURNED OFF INTO THE AIR.   HISTORICALLY IT’S BEEN CHEAPER TO DO THIS THAN TO RETAIN THE GAS, BUT THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN PAYING A HEAVY PRICE.

WHEN NATURAL GAS GOES UP IN SMOKE, THE RESULTS ARE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, SOOT, AND EVENTUALLY ACID RAIN.  FORTUNATELY THERE’S CAUSE FOR HOPE: AS NATURAL GAS PRICES RISE, FLARING IS BECOMING LESS ECONOMICAL.  CHRIS ELVIDGE OF NOAA’S NATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL DATA CENTER EXPLAINS.

ELVIDGE: THE NATURAL GAS HAS MORE VALUE AND THEREFORE MORE INVESTMENT WILL BE MADE INTO GETTING IT TO MARKET.

WHEN USED AS FUEL, THE NATURAL GAS IS STILL BURNED, BUT IT DISPLACES OTHER TYPES OF FUELS – CAUSING A NET DECREASE IN GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

Read more in New Scientist.

Read more about global gas flaring estimates at NOAA’s web site.