Natural Gas Industry Exposed as Major Greenhouse Gas Culprit

The natural gas industry has been perpetuating misinformation about its environmental impact for decades. A report by the Center for Climate Integrity team, led by Rebecca Leber and Rebecca John, reveals that the industry's claims of being clean and cheap are false.

In the 1950s, natural gas had a bad image due to its contribution to respiratory problems when burned indoors and local air pollution. As scientists analyzed the greenhouse effect in the 1970s, they realized methane, essentially what natural gas is, was a significant greenhouse gas. The industry responded by creating a public relations campaign, turning natural gas into the 'other white meat.'

The gas industry branded itself as a 'bridge fuel', clean-burning and transitioning to renewable energy. However, this was a ruse to maintain its long-term future while undermining renewables. Over two decades, the industry solidified this myth by co-opting science and oversight, partnering with environmental groups, and even recruiting EPA support.

A 1988 book on climate change by author Bill McKibben noted that switching to natural gas may have no effect or even make it worse due to methane leaks. Despite this, politicians, including Barack Obama, praised the fracking revolution as an economic boon and a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.