According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth’s controversial study on fracking “was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production,” whose findings have been bolstered by “a steady stream of newer work.” The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.’s arguments “fail on four critical points.” Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth’s team’s rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive?

Firstly, Cathles et al. state that Howarth’s team overestimates the number of methane emissions by assuming that most gas captured is leaked into the atmosphere and using inappropriate data without any evidence. Howarth et al. admit that they used data on captured gas as a surrogate for vented emissions. However, this was done according to “commonly accepted” EPA standards and “similar to such interpretation by EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]” because “the industry does not usually measure or estimate the gas that is vented during flow back.”

Furthermore, the Howarth team’s estimates of methane emissions correspond to results from other studies. Howarth et al. effectively addressed criticism because they pointed out that their methods were actually industry standards, not a unique oversight, and the results were, therefore, consistent with other study conclusions.

Secondly, Cathles et al. argue that a 100-year time frame is more appropriate for assessing the impact of shale gas compared to coal because it highlights that carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere far longer than methane. However, Howarth et al. state that methane is “far more powerful…although the residence time… is much shorter.”

The combination of methane emissions from gas drilling and permafrost melting could accelerate global warming and lead to “climate tipping points…if methane emissions…are not better controlled, beginning immediately.” At a century time scale, methane “contributes 19% of the entire GHG [greenhouse gases] inventory of the U.S…and 44% at the 20-year scale, including all gases and all human activities.” Howarth’s team successfully justifies using a 20-year timeframe to incite immediate action and ensure that humanity survives for another century.

In conclusion, Howarth et al. successfully managed to counter their critics’ claims and justify their methodology in assessing the viability of natural gas. I believe Howarth et al.’s arguments were more persuasive because their findings present a more well-rounded understanding of shale gas drilling consistent with the results of respected agencies like the EPA and the United Nations. If we want to save our environment, we need to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of all energy sources, not adamantly advocate for one, as it seems Cathles’ team does.

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Academic.Tips. (2022) 'According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive'. 10 October.

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Academic.Tips. (2022, October 10). According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive? https://academic.tips/question/according-to-award-winning-writer-and-reporter-naomi-klein-howarths-controversial-study-on-fracking-was-the-first-peer-reviewed-research-on-the-greenhouse-gas-footprint-of-shale-production-who/

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Academic.Tips. 2022. "According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive?" October 10, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/according-to-award-winning-writer-and-reporter-naomi-klein-howarths-controversial-study-on-fracking-was-the-first-peer-reviewed-research-on-the-greenhouse-gas-footprint-of-shale-production-who/.

1. Academic.Tips. "According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive?" October 10, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/according-to-award-winning-writer-and-reporter-naomi-klein-howarths-controversial-study-on-fracking-was-the-first-peer-reviewed-research-on-the-greenhouse-gas-footprint-of-shale-production-who/.


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Academic.Tips. "According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive?" October 10, 2022. https://academic.tips/question/according-to-award-winning-writer-and-reporter-naomi-klein-howarths-controversial-study-on-fracking-was-the-first-peer-reviewed-research-on-the-greenhouse-gas-footprint-of-shale-production-who/.

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"According to award-winning writer and reporter Naomi Klein, Howarth's controversial study on fracking "was the first peer-reviewed research on the greenhouse gas footprint of shale production," whose findings have been bolstered by "a steady stream of newer work." The anti-fracking article, however, remains controversial. With this information in mind, please respond to the following prompts. Cathles et al. suggest that Howarth et al.'s arguments "fail on four critical points." Briefly summarize two of these points, and assess whether Howarth's team's rebuttal effectively addresses the criticism made by Cathles et al. Support your assessment with textual evidence. Ultimately, which argument do you believe? Why do you find it persuasive?" Academic.Tips, 10 Oct. 2022, academic.tips/question/according-to-award-winning-writer-and-reporter-naomi-klein-howarths-controversial-study-on-fracking-was-the-first-peer-reviewed-research-on-the-greenhouse-gas-footprint-of-shale-production-who/.

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