While natural gas can reduce greenhouse emissions when it is
substituted for higher-emission energy sources, abundant shale gas is not
likely to substantially alter total emissions without policies targeted at
greenhouse gas reduction, a pair of Duke researchers find.
If natural gas is abundant and less expensive, it will
encourage greater natural gas consumption and less of fuels such as coal,
renewables and nuclear power. The net effect on the climate will depend on
whether the greenhouse emissions from natural gas -- including carbon dioxide
and methane -- are lower or higher than emissions avoided by reducing the use
of those other energy sources.