Is Natural Gas a Solution to Mitigating Climate Change?

Methane, a key greenhouse gas, has more than doubled in volume in Earth's atmosphere since 1750. Its increase is believed to be a leading contributor to climate change. But where is the methane coming from? Research by atmospheric chemist Paul Wennberg of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) suggests that losses of natural gas-our "cleanest" fossil fuel-into the atmosphere may be a larger source than previously recognized. Radiation from the sun warms Earth's surface, which then radiates heat back into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap some of this heat. It is this process that makes life on Earth possible for beings such as ourselves, who could not tolerate the lower temperatures Earth would have if not for its "blanket" of greenhouse gases. However, as Goldilocks would tell you, there is "too hot" as well as "too cold," and the precipitous increase in greenhouse gases since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution induces climate change, alters weather patterns, and has increased sea level.