It’s now 25 years since I have been working for the Gas industry.
The first bad news is that it makes me a 50-year old man – well not before 2024, which sounded very far when I graduated.
The second bad news is that to many people, I sound like a villain, destroying the world we live in and jeopardizing the lives of my 9-year old son and 6-year old daughter.
Even worse: I am an alpinist and a skier, so I should be aware of me melting my own playground.
So, is it OK to work for the Gas industry ? Yes. For many reasons.
My first driver as a “natural gas ambassador” is to make sure we get rid of coal. Coal still accounts for 34% of the global power mix, and emits twice as much CO2 as gas. Switching to gas is a big step already.
My second driver is to remind that energy is precious. Recent price spikes have raised awareness about the scarcity of resources, so it’s not just about using more gas, it’s about using it better. Reducing flaring (Greenhouse effect of CH4 is 21 times that of CO2), optimizing demand, are some of many examples.
My third driver is to explain that gas and LNG are the energy transition’s companions, not foes. As bridge fuels that are kept available and affordable, they help manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and they participate to power grid infrastructure development !
My fourth driver is the battle for consistency and against the NIMBY syndrom. It’s easy to say “I drive an EV, I did my part” but if you live in a nuclear-free country and/or vote against a wind mill on the hill behind your house, all you might do is turn on a coal plant somewhere in the world. Let’s be consistent : between nuclear and renewables, there is a BIG gap to fill. Better do it with gas.
My family has a small petrol car, but we use trains whenever possible. We have two e-bikes. We are on a sustainable diet, buy our vegetables at a nearby farm. Our kids are told not to waste food, water, electricity. I buy second-hand and refrain from buying coal-made products shipped overseas via Amazon.
So, what would I like my daughter to tell the polar bear ?
Bear with us. Gas may be there for a while, but I promise, we’re on it.
Published on LinkedIn in October 2023
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