What The Frack, Methane!

Oh Goody, More Bad News!

We want to lower CO2 emissions to curve the greenhouse effect and slow global warming. This has been the message repeatedly year after year. Energy-related CO2 emissions decreasing should be good news. America's Natural Gas Alliance announced today via their Twitter feed (@ANGAus) that in 2012 the levels are lower than those in the mid-90's. We should be dancing in the street. However, this news is more terrifying than anything.

If the point is to reduce CO2 emissions to curb climate change then what is the concern? The problem is the process of which these natural gasses are collected are causing a different and more immediate threat: methane. The American Environmental Protection Act has an Overview Of Greenhouse Gases. This guide explains the Global Warming Potential over the next 100 years.Whereas CO2 has the highest volume currently in our atmosphere, methane gasses are 21 times more damaging. And even the 21 figure is still obscure. The real figure is closer to 56 times more heat trapping except it breaks down faster; therefore over the 100 years it averages in at the 21 figure (from Methane's Contribution to Global Warming Is Worse than You Thought on AlterNet).

Methane versus Carbon Dioxide

Most people believe that natural gas is our future, and it very well might be. What is most important that while we're fighting against climate change we're not jumping out of the pot and into the frying pan. Or getting excited about inaccurate victories. The increase in natural gasses and methods to obtain (like fracking) is still so new that any long term effects have not quite been solidified yet. We need more measurements, tests, and accurate reporting before we can celebrate any reduction in CO2. This is something that I will be watching closely, and I hope you will be too!

Years Of Living Dangerously

Season 1 Episode 6: Chasing Methane

Day #10,760

It has been 1,537 weeks since the first time I took in oxygen and expelled carbon dioxide and I started my journey in the human experience. Now, 29 years, 5 months, and 17 days later I have finally woke-up.

29 Years Of Catching ZZZ's

Almost 30 years (eik!) years old and I have lived a full life. I have been grounded for making my little brother watch scary movies. I graduated with honors. I have enrolled and dropped out of college countless times. I have fallen in love. I have had my heart broken, and broke some hearts. I went on road trips to find myself. I have had a beer. I have voted in national elections. I have lived! But here I am planning my "dirty thirty", starting a new career, have a spectacular boyfriend and find myself just awaking to the world around me.

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. The epicenter for "green" living, recycling, and environmental awareness. I have always heard about terms like "green house effect" and "global warming" but it did not mean much to me. It has always been common knowledge that we have to take care of Mother Earth so that she keeps taking care of us. With everyone caring so much about our world, how the hell is it being destroyed at such an exponential rate?

God. Politics. Money. Greed. Laziness. Dwindling education systems. Reality T.V. There is a whole list of excuses as to why people are avoiding the fact that global warming is real. This is happening right now!

The rose colored glasses have come off. We, as global citizens, cannot sleep anymore. We must see the world around us for not how we want it to be but for how it is right now. Not ten years ago. Not twenty years from now. Today! Action must be taken today for there to be the slightest view of hope.

That is why I have started this blog today. I may not be able to stop every litter bug from tossing their plastic water bottle into the trash, but I can try my best to increase awareness. So...here it goes!