Aug 26: Methane and Climate in Pennsylvania

The National Academies’ Science & Engineering Ambassadors presents 

The Methane Martini:  Pennsylvania’s Next Popular Cocktail

Burning natural gas for energy results in less carbon dioxide emissions than coal, but methane (the primary component of natural gas) is a potent greenhouse gas with 30 times more warming power than CO2. In other words, a little bit of methane goes a long way in terms of warming the planet.

Daniel Tkacik and team of scientists from Carnegie Mellon University spent much of the past year measuring natural gas leaks around the country. He’ll share stories about this project, explain the innovative methods devised for this work, and discuss the implications of how these leaks will complicate the ongoing debate about natural gas and its impact on climate.

Daniel is communications manager for the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. He received his doctorate in mechanical engineering at CMU as a student in Neil Donahue’s lab.

This is the second in a three-part series called “Climate Change Here and Now.”  The third, and final, presentation will feature Ellis Robinson, who will illuminate yet another piece of the climate puzzle with his research on the chemistry of particulate air pollution:  Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Lungs Too).
  
6 p.m. at Bar Marco's Union Hall (2216 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222).   Complimentary hors d'oeuvres will be provided, and the event is free but please be sure to RSVP here.


The Science & Engineering Ambassadors program is an activity of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). We connect opinion leaders with local experts, building relationships at the community level on the topic of energy.  The NAS and NAE are private, non-profit societies of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the public good.

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