Question

What are the three disadvantages of using natural gas as a source of energy?

Answer 1

1. High Methane Emissions and Climate Impact: While natural gas burns cleaner than coal, it is mostly made up of methane, a strong greenhouse gas. Gas leaks from extraction, drilling, and pipeline transit enter the atmosphere, retain heat, and contribute considerably to global warming.
2. Highly Combustible and Safety Risks: It is a very volatile, explosive, and flammable gas. Any slight pipeline leak, structural damage, or storage failure can cause catastrophic fires, hazardous explosions, and poisonous gas spills, posing serious threats to nearby people.
3. Expensive Initial Infrastructure: Transporting and storing natural gas requires significant capital commitment. Building massive networks of specialised cross-country underground pipelines, high-pressure storage tanks, and liquefaction plants is far more expensive and logistically demanding than delivering solid coal or liquid oil.