Fossil gas is often surrounded by confusing technical terms. This glossary breaks down the key concepts in clear and simple language, so you can understand exactly why fossil gas is harmful and why Southeast Asia is being targeted.
Fossil gas
Fossil gas, sometimes called natural gas, is a fossil fuel like coal and oil. It is formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago. Its main ingredient is methane. When fossil gas is burned for energy, it releases carbon dioxide, which warms the planet.
Methane
Methane is the most dangerous part of fossil gas. It has about 84 times more warming power than carbon dioxide over its first twenty years in the atmosphere. Even small leaks have a big impact on the climate.
Methane leaks regularly at gas wells, pipelines, LNG terminals, and storage facilities. Scientists have detected massive leaks around the world. These leaks can make fossil gas just as harmful for the climate as coal, and sometimes even worse.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG)
LNG is fossil gas that has been cooled to a liquid. This process makes it easier to ship across long distances, especially from exporting countries like Qatar, Australia, and the United States to Southeast Asia. Shipping LNG requires special terminals, refrigeration, and large tankers.
LNG is not clean. It is energy intensive to produce, unstable in price, and vulnerable to global political tensions. Supply can be disrupted by wars, shipping lane closures, extreme weather, and spikes in demand from other countries.
Why fossil gas companies target Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s demand for electricity is growing fast. At the same time, domestic gas reserves are shrinking and coal is slowly being phased out. Exporting countries see this as an opportunity to lock our region into long term LNG contracts.
They promote gas as clean and secure. But LNG is expensive, volatile, and tied to the global market. Its instability puts households and governments at constant risk of price spikes and shortages.
The real alternative
Solar and wind power are abundant in Southeast Asia. These sources are cheaper, cleaner, and safer than fossil gas. With stronger regional cooperation and better electricity infrastructure, renewable energy can provide stable and affordable power without the risks linked to LNG.
