Natural gas is formed by methane and other gases, and is usually found between rocks in the earth (BBC, n.d.).
Similar to coal, natural gas is used mainly to produce heat or electricity (Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2014)b. Natural gas is a cleaner fuel than oil or coal, because it releases less air pollutants and greenhouse gases when used to generate energy. Specifically, 30% and 43% less carbon dioxide are released from using natural gas as compared to oil and coal respectively. Also, as methane is a greenhouse gas that traps 25 times more heat than carbon dioxide, the burning of natural gas (i.e. methane) for energy prevents the release of methane into the atmosphere. However, even with the advantages of using natural gas over oil and coal, relying on natural gas is not a viable long-term strategy for fulfilling energy needs. Natural gas reserves are limited in supply, and will ultimately be depleted if unrestricted use of natural gas continues. Moreover, although natural gas is a cleaner fuel, it still contributes to global warming and climate change to a large extent due to mass consumption. Still, it is preferable to use natural gas in the meantime, while more sustainable solutions for energy needs are researched on.