Natural gas is a fossil fuel that, when burned, releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to climate change and have negative impacts on public health.
Burning natural gas also emits nitrogen oxides, which are a precursor to ground-level ozone – a pollutant that can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, methane, another component of natural gas, is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
While natural gas may be less polluting than other fossil fuels like coal and oil, its extraction and production can also have harmful impacts on the environment. For example, hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”), a process used to extract natural gas from underground shale formations, can contaminate water supplies and release methane into the atmosphere.
Overall, natural gas development creates environmental risks and harms public health. When making decisions about energy sources, it’s important to consider all of these impacts – not just how much carbon dioxide is released when the fuel is burned.