Methane (CH 4 ) is a natural and colorless gas that is odorless in cases of low concentration and a sweet, pungent smell in its high concentration form. The natural gas is emitted from the natural decomposition of animal and plants in environments such as the rice paddies, animal guts, and in marshes, which are considered environs with a low concentration of air. Other sources of Methane CH4 include the rotting rubbish that exists in landfills over long periods. Additionally, the gas is also emitted during the processes of mining of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. The primary use of the gas entails the domestic and commercial purposes for heating and the generation of electricity within power stations. Considering the concentration levels of the gas on the environment and the rate of emissions, the gas may have a significant impact on the environmental stability within any given region.
How methane affects the environmental stability in the Dominican Republic?
Dominican Republic Methane Emissions
In recent years, the Dominican Republic has experienced an increase in greenhouse gas emission, which is an aspect that has created a significant impact on the stability of the environment. According to Chai, Tonjes, & Mahajan (2016), the Dominican Republic experience approximately 24 million metric tons of the greenhouse gases emissions annually thus resulting in a significant impact within the environment. A considerable amount of these greenhouse gases is methane gas considering that it is among the highest contributors of such gases released into the environment. The Dominican government recognizes this as a vital issue of consideration attributed to the number of people that are much more likely to suffer based on this particular gas finding its way into the environment.
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The energy sector in the Dominican Republic dominates approximately 85% of the total greenhouse gas emissions experienced within the environment. Heat and electricity generations and transportation in the energy sector play a significant role in the increased emissions of the greenhouse gases within the country, which increase environmental risks. The second significant sources of the emissions in the Dominican Republic are the agricultural sector, which emits approximately 30% of the total emissions considering the fermentation and the decomposition of plants and animals' waste. Another aspect associated with the increase in the emissions of Methane CH4 in the Country entails the industrial processes and waste production, which contributes to approximately 10% of the greenhouse gas emissions. Following the increase in the levels of greenhouse gas emissions the Dominican Republic capitalize on the implementation of essential strategies that aim at curbing the adverse effects associated with the rise in Methane CH4.
Effects of Methane on Environmental Stability in the Dominican Republic
Methane has had notable impacts on the environmental stability in the Dominican Republic resulting in the occurring of climate change. According to Chai, Tonjes, & Mahajan (2016), in the past decade, the Dominican Republic has been hit by at least three hurricanes, as well as, increased cases of flooding as a result of climate change. The main factor attributed to the changes in environmental stability has been traced back to climate change resulting from greenhouse gases. Methane gas is among the gases contributing to the pile-up of greenhouse gases, thus, meaning that the country is likely to experience similar instabilities in the weather patterns moving into the future if the government does not take proactive measures.
The instability in the environment within the Dominican Republic creates a situation where a significant number of people are affected by the changing weather patterns. For examples, approximately 65 people lost their lives in March 2018 resulting from massive flooding in the country attributed to intense rainfall. A review of the reports from the state indicated that the country experienced rainfalls reaching up to 10 inches within a 24-hour period, which is significant because of the havoc that this is likely to cause. That resulted in increased mudslides where a considerable number of people died with many more others left homeless. The fact that methane is being released into the environment acts as a clear indication of the fact that indeed the Dominican Republic is likely to experience such a situation for years to come.
The second notable effect associated with environment instability attributed to methane gas is the fact that a large tract of land has been rendered unsafe for human occupation due to hazards resulting from methane. Templer, Groffman, Flecker, & Power (2005) argue that the Dominican government has taken measures aimed at evacuating people from landfills that face the risk of exposure to methane gas attributed to the environmental impact that this gas may have on the areas. On the other hand, the government has focused more on evacuating people due to the high risks of explosions in these areas because methane is a highly flammable gas. Although the government is working hard to contain the methane gas being released into the environment, it is essential to it to come up with effective measures that seek to guarantee efficiency in protecting the residents.
Lastly, methane has contributed to a significant reduction in the quality of air within the Dominican Republic, which has resulted in more people experiencing respiratory tract infections as a result. Methane contributes to a situation where the quality of air tends to reduce considering that this a poisonous gas when inhaled. The release of this gas into the environment creates a situation where it contributes to an increase in the number of people experiencing breathing problems. Although the issues are controlled to some extent, researchers tend to believe that the problem is likely to increase in coming years. That will result in a situation where the people will experience a deterioration of the air quality, which is the situation in Beijing, China. Dealing with the issue of methane may help in protecting the lives of the over 10 million people in the Dominican Republic, as it will contribute towards ensuring that they do not face any risks of exposure to poor air quality.
In summary, methane gas occurs as a natural and colorless gas, which tends to have notable impacts on the environment causing instabilities. The instabilities affect the people living within these environments, thus, creating the need for having to come up with effective solutions. The Dominican Republic is one of the countries around the world with high emissions of methane gas contributing to a high concentration of greenhouse gases released into the environment. The country’s energy section accounts for 85% of the total greenhouse gas emissions experienced within the environment. In the country, the impact of methane, released into the environment, is evident from the fact that the country has experienced increased natural disasters due to climate change. On the other hand, the release of methane gas into the environment has resulted in a situation where a large tract of land has been rendered unsafe for human occupation. The country also suffers from poor quality of air attributed to methane gas within the environment.
References
Chai, X., Tonjes, D. J., & Mahajan, D. (2016). Methane emissions as energy reservoir: Context, scope, causes and mitigation strategies. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science , 56 , 33-70.
Templer, P. H., Groffman, P. M., Flecker, A. S., & Power, A. G. (2005). Land use change and soil nutrient transformations in the Los Haitises region of the Dominican Republic. Soil Biology and Biochemistry , 37 (2), 215-225.
