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Methane gas, a major component of natural gas, is an especially harmful greenhouse gas. It causes atmospheric warming and is harmful when breathed into our lungs. How to reduce methane is a key technical, health and societal question. The recent presidential election was in part decided by Pennsylvania, whose citizens draw big royalties from small natural gas wells on their farms. But those wells are big emitters of natural gas. 

According to an NPR report in January of 2023, “Over the five years, DEP staff did more than63,000 inspections, they uncovered more than 16,000 violations at 4,000 wells. The most frequent violation over the five years was the failure to plug wells that are no longer being used. More than 3,000 wells were abandoned over the time period.” So basically, while natural gas is touted as more environmentally friendly than coal or oil, the source and supply chains that bring it to us are bad for our climate.

Methane has a much shorter life than CO₂ when it escapes into the atmosphere, but at the same time, methane traps heat in the atmosphere at 80 times the rate of CO₂, making methane a danger to our planet. It’s an important goal to reduce greenhouse gases' heat effects as quickly as possible. Any reduction in atmospheric methane can start to turn the heat down on the Earth’s global warming more quickly.

Since methane, a primary component of natural gas, has a much shorter life than CO₂ when it escapes into the atmosphere, but at the same time, methane traps heat in the atmosphere 80 times more effectively than CO₂, this makes methane a target of opportunity for curbing global warming. Any reduction in atmospheric methane can start to turn the heat down on the Earth’s global warming more quickly.

With the federal government in the hands of pro-fossil fuel interests, what can we do in Massachusetts to reduce our dependence on natural gas and the deadly methane it contains? We can start by remembering the Lawrence gas disaster and continue to demand that utilities accelerate cleaning up the leaking gas pipes under our streets in Greater Newburyport. Nonprofits such as HEET, Mothers Out Front, and the Sierra Club of Massachusetts are involved in demanding that utilities more rapidly repair or replace leaking pipes under our streets. If you’d like to see where gas may be leaking in your neighborhood—yes, right here in Greater Newburyport—check out the Massachusetts Gas Leak Map. 

Meanwhile, you can reduce your own use of natural gas in ways that are both climate-friendly and cost-saving. First, if you haven’t already gotten a free inspection of your home by Mass Save, please do so. The inspection identifies areas of heat loss in your home and offers significant subsidies and incentives that can save you money and reduce your home’s greenhouse gas production immediately. And because home heating and cooking with natural gas are widespread in Massachusetts, we can reduce greenhouse gases by making heating more efficient and by cooking slightly differently.

For example, small electric appliances instead of your gas range—a crockpot, an air fryer, an electric griddle, a toaster oven—can get the job done well. At the same time, they help reduce pollution in our atmosphere. It just takes a little planning on your part: “I will make pot roast for dinner once a month in the slow cooker” or “Grilled cheese—call it a panini, it’s fancier—on the griddle instead of in a frying pan” weekly.

New Englanders have enjoyed natural gas’ benefits for a long time, especially in more urban areas. But it has bad side effects. Slowing down our use of natural gas will ripple back up the supply chain to the wellheads, and reductions will take place. Old habits are hard to change, but we have a few simple ways you can begin to reduce methane in the atmosphere.

To draw a parallel, methane’s role in climate change can be likened to cocaine’s impact on the human body. Cocaine delivers a powerful short-term high, but it wreaks havoc on a body and mind in the long run. We need to wean ourselves off methane from natural gas this year. So let’s resolve: “I will use less natural gas this year—by better insulation or a new electric heat pump, or by cooking with small electric appliances.”

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on February 21, 2025.