As if the gas crisis resulting from the Ukraine conflict wasn't enough of a problem, Europe is now reaching its next related crisis. These are gas leaks in the Baltic Sea that are raising concerns about how they will harm the environment. According to Germany's estimates, up to 300,000 tons of methane will be released, which is considered one of the strongest greenhouse gases. The largest gas leak in Nord Stream can even be recognized by the bubbling pool of water. The exact amounts that will escape are difficult to estimate. What does this mean for the environment and how could the pipes break?
The leaks are located on both gas pipelines, Nord Stream 1 and 2, partly in Danish and Swedish waters. While there was previously talk of 3 ruptures, the Swedish coast guard is now reporting a fourth gas leak in Nord Stream. The cause is not yet known, but Russian media accuse the USA of sabotage at Nord Stream. According to them, a US attack helicopter circled over the Baltic Sea for several hours. German and US officials also agree that it was a case of sabotage. But from which side remains unclear.
Seismologists report explosions underwater even before the leaks appear. "There is no doubt that these were explosions," said Bjorn Lund of Sweden's National Seismology Center, while Russia asserts it has no interest in destroying its own infrastructure. Andrei Kortunov of the Russian International Affairs Council, a Moscow-based think tank, told BBC Radio 4: "They always point the finger at Russia, but I think since it is Russian property it wouldn't be very logical for Russia to harm it would inflict. There are other ways to make life more difficult for Europeans: They can simply stop gas deliveries without damaging the infrastructure.” Either way, it does itsevere gas crisisjust harder.
Gas leak in Nord Stream – what are the consequences?
Nord Stream 2 has never been in force and gas delivery via Nord Stream 1 has been stopped by Russia. The gas that is currently coming out of the pipelines is, so to speak, the remainder that is under pressure. Exactly how much has leaked so far and will continue to leak can only be estimated - depending on how much of the natural gas was still available. In addition, measuring via satellite images is made more difficult because the light is reflected by the water.
According to experts, half has probably already escaped, while the rest will escape into the Baltic Sea by the end of the week. Expressed in numbers, this means:
- 1% of Germany's annual emissions
- 32% of Denmark's annual emissions
This was calculated using the so-called 100-year conversion factor, in which the global warming potential of the gas is multiplied over 100 years.
American scientists also find reassuring words: “The most direct impact of these gas leaks on the climate is the additional shot of the powerful greenhouse gas methane,” says Dave Reay, Executive Director of the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute. However, the leaking Nord Stream gas is “a tiny bubble in the ocean compared to the huge amounts of so-called ‘volatile methane’ that are emitted every day around the world […].”
When asked, the Federal Environment Ministry emphasized that methane leaks were harmful to the climate, but did not pose a significant threat to the marine environment.
Sources:Nord Stream Gas Leaks May Be a New Disaster for the Climate;Nord Stream: Sweden finds new leak in Russian gas pipeline;US Helicopters Fly Above Sites Of Nord Stream
