Coal vs. natural gas

Re: Ottawa to phase out coal, Nov. 22 Phasing out coal may not be as helpful in cutting emissions as many people assume, especially if natural gas is being burned instead of coal.

Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is up to 86 times more powerful than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas over a 20-year period. Recent studies have shown natural gas may be even worse than coal when methane leaks are factored in.

If Environment Minister Catherine McKenna doesn’t get serious about addressing methane leaks and fracking, phasing out coal may not have a net benefit for the atmosphere.

— Blaise Salmon, Mill Bay