Put Natural Gas in the Past
Natural gas is a fossil fuel. Like any other fossil fuel, the process of extraction and usage results in numerous environmental problems, including the release of greenhouse gas emissions. That is why when they are promoted for their environmental benefits relative to other fossil fuels we must not forget that they are still severely harmful to the environment. Case in point, just over a year after the cancellation of Energy East, a new pipeline is being proposed in Northern Ontario to carry natural gas all the way to Saguenay, where it will be reprocessed for transfer overseas. The president of Gazoduq, the company pursuing the project, states in the CBC radio interview that this pipeline will be better for the environment than the crude oil that would have been transferred by Energy East in the respect that there will be no direct contamination in streams and ground. However, this glances over the fact that leaked natural gas from pipeline bursts cannot be recovered and is a powerful greenhouse gas as it is mostly made up of methane. Methane is said to be 86 times stronger at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a 20 year period. Ultimately, comparing the ecological impact of natural gas pipeline leaks to crude oil pipeline leaks sets the bar really low for sustainable practices.
Instead of using natural gas, why not transition towards renewables, clearly the greener alternative. In Oil Change International’s analysis Burning the Gas ‘Bridge Fuel’ Myth, a great point that is explained is that new gas is holding back the potential of renewable energy. Oil Change International argues that because the cost of renewable energy has significantly decreased in recent years, in many cases it is competitive with building new gas capacity. Pursuing renewables can provide a revenue stream for communities and new jobs, contributing to a just transition. As many areas in the world are expanding their renewable energy infrastructure, Northern Ontario would miss opportunities to generate revenue from renewables in the future if it stays fixated on natural gas because the field is highly competitive. The possibilities of developing renewable energy in Northern Ontario are out there and able to provide more environmentally sustainable infrastructure while promoting local job growth.
Oil Change International’s analysis also argues that building new gas infrastructure would lock in greenhouse gas emissions for the lifespan of its operations, ultimately leading to substantial, unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions. The IPCC Report Global Warming of 1.5°C warns carbon pollution needs to be cut 45% by 2030 from 2010 levels and reach ‘net zero’ around 2050 to limit warning to 1.5°C. The urgency in phasing out fossil fuels that is called for does not align with the long-term fossil fuel investment brought forth by this natural gas pipeline proposal.
Don’t forget, the process of extracting, transporting, and utilizing natural gas still results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Air pollution, habitat fragmentation, and water contamination are just some of the many environmental impacts that derive from natural gas extraction. Hydraulic fracturing is a major process used to extract natural gas in Western Canada, which is where the natural gas will be coming from in this pipeline. There are so many environmental risks to this process that it is outright banned in numerous parts of the world.
For these reasons and more, citizens should think critically about the arguments in favour of natural gas infrastructure. Instead of focusing on natural gas, Northern Ontario can demonstrate environmental leadership and commitment to local job creation by exploring opportunities in renewable energy.