Natural gas has long been considered a more climate-friendly alternative to coal because gas-fired power plants generally release less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than their coal-fired counterparts. But a new study finds that when the full impact of the industry is taken into account, natural gas could contribute as much to climate change as coal. Natural gas is composed primarily of methane , a strong greenhouse gas. New peer-reviewed analysis in the journal  Environmental Research Letters found that when even small amounts of methane escape from natural gas wells, production facilities, and pipelines, it can increase the industry's emissions to the same level as coal. (Jeff Brady)